after a galactic epoch of emptiness
and another of chaos
things have finally settled down
that galaxy on the screen
was one the last to be eaten
we lost lifetouch with them
a billion years ago
as they were consumed
every star stripped of life
like so many before them
what saved the universe
was that the eaters did not move on
this time they apparently had
gathered enough sustenance
to construct at last
their gateway to whatever dimension
they now terrorize
there has been no lifetouch
not even a whisper from
the spectral listeners
from that galaxy
all these billion years
until today when
the hyperwave conduits suddenly
lit up like a supernova
data streams and yes,
even the hints of lifetouch
somewhere in the spiral arm
lies a yellow sun with a blue planet
beings risen from dust
asking their empty galaxy
"is anyone out there?"
and hearing nothing
the eaters left no one in range
who could answer that question
they have no way of knowing
we hear them, and know where they are
it will take centuries, we have forgotten so much,
to build a fleet to find them,
and exterminate them
damn eaters and their eggs
i thought we had gotten the last of them