Stardate 24-34 point 2

First Officer’s log

On a routine patrol flight
In the Milky Way Galaxy
I discovered on our space-sensors
An unidentified planet careening wildly
In an eccentric solar orbit
I ordered an immediate investigation
And with much difficulty
Manoeuvred our ship for a temporary orbit

Upon beaming down to the plant's surface
All I could see were ruins
Ruins of some type of civilization
Crumbled buildings
Deserted streets
Charred vegetation
All covered with a thick layer of dust
Which our scanners indicated as intensely radioactive

I proceeded to make a thorough survey of the area
According to my calculations
I could tell that some recent phenomenon or holocaust had occurred
And destroyed whatever advanced civilization had existed on the planet
I found no sign of life
As I made my way back to the ship
I heard a sound
It came from a cellar, in one of the nearby buildings

Carefully and slowly
I found my way to the source
And discovered a human being
Or rather what once was a human being
A scarred, disfigured man lying in the rubble
When I questioned him
He told me this had once been a great world
They had abundance and plenty
Intelligence
Beauty
Love

There was enough for everyone who lived there
But the inhabitants where never satisfied
They wanted more
They wanted everything
And they started to quarrel amongst themselves
They could not live in peace
And they tried to destroy each other
In doing this they destroyed everything
Their abundance
Their plenty
Their own intelligence
Their beauty
Their Love

He told me that
So far as he knew
He was the only living thing left
But that he knew he was dying
When I asked him the name of the planet
He replied:
We called it 'Earth'

Written in 1927 by
Max Ehrmann (1872-1945)

Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
And remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly
and listen to others,
even the dull and ignorant
they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing future of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs;
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment
it is perennial as the grass.
Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labours and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be careful.
Strive to be happy.

1927