LIFE ELSEWHERE

               There surely must be life elsewhere than Earth
               Within the vastness of infinity;
               The Power that brought us forth would have no dearth
               Of its original capacity;
               It’s only that the distances are vast,
               And any traveler from afar would need
               To voyage longer than a life could last
               For its amazing mission to succeed.
               Assuming, though, the speed of light to be
               Not instantaneous, but nearly so,
               Perhaps we’ll summon the capacity
               To know the far away and long ago.
                    But then, there may be knowledge best unknown—
                    It may be better if we’re all alone.

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