Disclaimer: Star Trek is the property of Paramount/Viacom. This poem is the property of and is copyright (c) 1976 by Gerry Downes. Originally published in Stardate Unknown #2, Gerry Downes editor.

Radio Source

Gerry Downes

Hissing crackles

snaps and whines

The language of the stars

as they call to one another.

There's sub-space interference

on all channels, sir.

Tinny metal-voices

amplified and coded --

Merely human messages

try to pierce the din.

I can over-ride it now, sir,

channel clear.

Orders are received,

acknowledged, obeyed -

Far more than any star-noise

these words are important.

Lieutenant, cut that static

from the speaker.

And so it goes -

The music of the spheres.