Star Fall

When we returned from travelling to the stars
Our friends had all grown old. Their little lives
Had gone on in the old familiar way.
We were a nine days' wonder. When we talked
We saw - not disbelief- indifference.
"You saw a star explode? How interesting
You'll have to write a book about it all.
But much has happened here as well, you know."
Our lives had been transformed. We could not now
Go back to living as long ago we lived.
So often we regretted turning back.
Better perhaps to have chanced our luck in space,
Rather than face this grim monotony.