Larry Kilham Blog |
There's been a lot of talk about human missions to Mars. I have a different perspective as you can see below. THE ROBOT AND THE UNICORN
The robot wandered our desert preparing for the exploration of Mars. The creatures chirped and yowled “Who is snooping in this paradise of ours?” They agreed that wily coyote should talk to this blinky thing. He asked, “Are you smoking peyote or are you under alien programming?” The chastened robot turned to go when a galloping creature with a spiral horn pulled up in a cloud of dust and proclaimed, “Yes, I am a unicorn!” The unicorn said to the robot, “Believe in me and I’ll believe in you.” The robot blinked and clinked and replied, “Fine, let me tell you what is new.” “I’ll search for ways to live on the barren plains of Mars and someday I will travel to the planets of the neighboring stars.” The unicorn spoke confidentially, “Everyone loves me so we should travel together, wouldn’t you agree?” “What will you do?” the robot asked. “We must stay alive. With no food on board, how will you survive?” The unicorn smiled and said, “I do PR, my man! I can report from the boring mission stories of mystery and charm. From you the logician and me the magician.” “We unicorns absorb energy from the sun or from whatever star is near like you do from your solar panels so come on, let’s get in gear.” Now outer space is a lonely place and a stranger sight you might never see - the robot and the unicorn exploring a dead Martian sea. They set up their antenna and broadcast to Mother Earth: “Your lights are glowing in deep dark space. The source of all hope and progress is Earth and the human race.” © 2019 Larry Kilham I wrote this for my friends Wendy and Bonsall Johnson, owners of the Parlor Car B&B in Chama, New Mexico, the southern terminus of the steam train line to Antonito, Colorado.
THE STRANGER IN THE PARLOR CAR Chugging through echoing tunnels and over the awesome trestles the proud old steam engine bound for Chama chugs and whistles. Hardy folk stand in the gondola happy families cluster in the coaches but today the parlor car has but one fare - the tall stranger from Nacogdoches. The stranger strides past the waiting crowd at Chama’s old-time station. He sports a perfectly cut suit and a ten-gallon hat but avoids casual conversation. The stranger saunters into the Boxcar saloon and he asks for the best place to stay. Everyone all agrees, “Go to the Parlor Car B&B, located just a stone’s throw away.” There’s a rap rap on the door as Wendy peers through the glass “Bonsall, dear, we have a visitor and he’s certainly a man of class.” The stranger doffs his hat and smoothly says, “Evening, Ma’am, what luck I’ve found your place! Do you have a room for a traveling man?” “We do. Please enjoy our finest suite.” The stranger notes the elegant interior with furnishings by cultured hosts. “Looks mighty fine. Sure wish I could stay longer.” The train whistle wakes Wendy and Bonsall announcing a glorious new dawn. They’re planning a fabulous breakfast but the mysterious stranger is gone! A letter arrived for Wendy and Bonsall signed by the governor of Texas saying in part, Your B&B is the best lil ol’ hotel west of the Pecos.” (c) 2019 Larry Kilham |