TIME AND SPACE IN LOVE, LOVE IN SPACE AND TIME

Space was alone,
Cold and still
In timeless eternity.

But then Space met Time.

Time was boundless
Epochs, moments, ages, lifetimes, eras, seconds,
Stretching to eternity.

But then Time met Space.

Space was insular,
Unchanging and stubborn,
Combustible with ambition.

But then Space met Time.

Space had no time to begin.
Time had no space to end.

They pulled each other in,
Spiralled fingers, legs and lips,
Until they were inseparable.

They grew together,
Bore out everything,
Fields of energy,
Cathedrals of matter
Swirling into stars,
Planets, life and heartache.

But in the infinite,
All is but a moment.

Space grew slow,
Sluggish, cold.

Time held on,
Firmer, closer.

Every moment drawn
Out and savoured,
Every loving smile
Held tighter, just
a moment
more

Seconds to eras,
Lifetimes to ages,
Moments to epochs.

Spent and spent,
Until there was
No more Time.

Space was alone,
Cold and still,
But for the memory
Of lost Time.

ANAX

THE UNTOUCHED EARTH

Though no joke in the explorer’s word,
When he spoke, the emperor laughed,
“My empire spans from sea to sea!
These palace beams from distant trees,
There’s no land where my hand has not been,
So, why would I have need for thee?”
 
“I’ll wager,” said the pioneer,
“That you make me your chief courtier,
Should I find a portion of the land,
That is untouched by human hand.”
“But should you fail,” the ruler said,
“I will relieve you of your head!”
 
So, they agreed, explorer left,
And the emperor laughed at his expense.
 
But the man returned within the hour,
And in his hands, a silver platter,
Upon the plate, a square of mud,
Topped with grassy plants and such.
 
“It cannot be! I do not think,
Your ship spans lands within a blink,
Nor boots cross states within a step,
Where did you find this untouched patch?”
 
“In your garden, sire,” explorer said,
Turning the clump upon its head.

The emperor gave a smile of mirth,
Then laid hand upon the untouched earth.