(Ex astris, scientia) [1]

God!! No!! Why?!?

Father Loyola: [2]
If you knew what we know now,
What would you think?
Would your faith still be strong,
Where mine is failing?

(Deus tecum) [3]

We found it.
The Vault.
They made sure that we would.
On the one seared planet
That survived.

(Deo gratias) [4]

No one thought we’d find a planet . . .

A small, scorched planet
In distant orbit
‘Round the small White Dwarf star
Left behind.

(Deo gratias) [4]

It survived the supernova.
They knew the end was coming.
And ev’rything they treasured,
They sent here.

So we’d know who they were . . .

(Deo gratias) [4]

They left their art.
They left their sculpture.
They left pictures and movies,
Recordings and texts.
With players and guides
And instructions.
So we know who they are.

We know who they were . . .

(Requiescant in pace) [5]

We saw their lives.
We saw their cities.
Saw them working and playing
And living and loving.
They almost looked human.
And I cannot forget . . .

(Pax tecum) [6]

A scene
Of children
Playing in the waves;
Running down a beach
Of strange blue sand.

And there --
Sinking down behind them,
Casting warm reflections,
Sets the sun . . .

The sun . . .

(Pax tecum) [6]

That will end them . . .

(Deus tecum) [7]

That destroyed them . . .

(Pax vobiscum) [8]

And we now know when . . .

(Ex astris, scientia) [9]

God!!
There were so many stars...
So many stars You could choose.

(Sic transit gloria mundi) [10]

So why use
This star?
Why give this world
To the fire?

(Ad maiorem Dei gloriam) [11]

Just so this star’s light
Would shine down over
Bethlehem?

------------------------------------------------------------

[1] “From the stars, knowledge.”

[2] (Founder of the Jesuit order)

[3] “May God be with you”

[4] “Thanks be to God”

[5] “May they rest in peace”

[6] “Peace be with you”

[7] “May God be with you”

[8] “Peace be with you all”

[9] “From the stars, knowledge”

[10] “So passes away the glory of the world”

[11] “For the greater glory of God” (Jesuit motto)