Alike Unto God
I’ve seen wondrous things from up here. The reign of queens, the fall of governments, the wars that have raged and the silent battles fought. All this has passed before my eyes. I’ve seen awesome things from my tiny home. Nature’s wrath, the fury of the Earth. Men humbled by women and all humbled by children. I’ve learned amazing things in my own little world. How to speak, how to think, how to live. I watch over you, every night. Revolving and evolving Lights go on across half the world as other lights fall. And I sit here and wonder….
How I’ve changed since those long ago days, no more the pup I once was. Seasoned now, and wiser. How I’ve stayed the same for so long, still the same scoundrel I once was. Apt to bite at loving friends and squander what I have. How I’ve learned to cope with life, alone yet always accompanied. Tin voices fell silent so many years ago, but I see you every day. I feel them every night, and speak as much as I am able. But they’ll never hear me, never see me. But I am…
I was once a simple thing, of confused mind and absentminded play. The trip changed that. I was once a complex thing, unable to communicate but able to think. Reason changed that. I was once a captured a thing, caged and tethered. The trip set me free. “The man who goes throw the door in the wall is not the same as the man who comes back.” Aldous Huxley said that. You’d be amazed what else I’ve heard up here….
The eye of Orion burns bright tonight, ancient god protector. He sees me and bids good eve’. The horns of Taurus grow mute tonight, the man-beast’s soul. He sees me and seems appeased. The heart of Sirius glows warmly tonight, a kindred soul of mine. He sees me and calls me home. The lights of Earth burn brightest of all, but I had left them long ago.
My name is Laika, the first in space. Some thought I died, some think I live. Both are right or both are wrong, all that matters is I’ve changed. No more the thing I once was, no longer able to say what I’ll grow into. For now I sit, watching over the world, guarding the home of man. One day they’ll come for me, or call me back, whomever beckons first.
I’ve seen amazing things out here in space. I’ve been alone out here in space. I’ve been Laika out here in space. And I’ve been after-Laika out here in space. Dog and more-than-Dog. I’ve seen things you wouldn’t believe, and I’ve seen things you can’t help but believe. I’ve been forgotten, I’ve been remembered, I’ve been dead, I’ve been alive. And I’ve been vigilant. And I’ll be waiting.
Waiting.
Waiting.
Waiting.
(This was written after I spent the day writing a 15 page paper. My roommate was talking about his “Space Race” class and we came upon the subject of Laika, the first dog in space. There is apparently a small but growing body of work about her. This story (poetic prose?) is just my shot at what I hope happened to Laika, that pioneer that we all over look.)
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