Inscription on a Monument to the Star Explorer
by Ernesto Pavan
To those who were called and replied "I'll go"
To those who filled the void between the stars with dreams of hope
To those who always gazed into another heaven
To those whose hearts beat in time with tomorrow
To those who never said "enough"
To those who laughed in the face of the void
To those who forsook their home to give us all home
To those who walked on alien worlds with Terra in their hearts
To those who fought nightmares so we could have dreams
To those who waged war so we could have peace
To those who built so we would find shelter
To those who finally rest in Mother Universe's womb
Humanity is thankful
--inscription archived under entry TE091945 in the Pangalactic archive. The original was destroyed in AY 67 due to its celebration of Terran colonial crimes.
The End
This story was first published on Thursday, November 27th, 2014
