Among the Stars

When we set out to travel to the stars,
We chose a star some twelve light-years away.
Our speed was rather less than that of light.
We had small hope of seeing earth again.
With tearful eyes we bade our friends farewell.
Our craft was well provided for our needs
For many years to come. Soaring, we left
Our old familiar planet far behind.
Meteors and comets flashed across our path.
The sun grew fainter, almost lost to sight.

The star waxed brighter as the years went by.
The scientists among us saw a change.
We saw their worried faces. Then one day
The space before us lit in one great flash.
Brighter than any light I ever knew,
So terrifying that I hid my eyes,
And when I looked again, the star was gone,
Only a black hole left where it had been.
So now we ask ourselves what we shall do,
Lost in the frightening emptiness of space.