Tuesday Poem: The Trouble with Time Machines by A.J. Ponder

The Trouble with Time Machines

(first published in Eye to the Telesope, edited by Tim Jones)

Turns out

Time Machines are easy -

all you need is

number eight wire,

several diodes,

and a particle accelerator.

Problem is;

every sad physicist

who goes to the

trouble of inventing one,

unlocks their past

improving upon the original

until there is no need for a time machine

in the first place.

Turns out time machines are not so easy-

all those redundant devices

are proving an enormous hazard

as we unlock the

metaphysical chains that bind

the many parallel universes -

with mathematical theorems that will turn your head inside out

(in several dimensions)

because universes are rather fragile

and blowing just one would

un

ravel

the

u

n

i

v

e

r

s

e

For more mind blowing poetry why not check out the Tuesdday Poem Blog?

Surf Security

Surf Security doesn't like my words

Red circled exclamation marks

Proclaim to all

The unsafe nature of this text

Seeing fit to warn you

Of its revealing nature

After all

Poetry is for the mad,

The troubled,

The ghosts who lock themselves within galleons adrift

Never straying into in sight of

The breathy sea of swimming beaches

Choosing instead to listen to the

echo

Of reality booming

And the shrill cry of seagulls

So now you must choose

To fly far to distant lands

Far, far away from this uncertain brig

Where I lie

My breath thrown

higgledy-piggledy around me

In uncertain 

indecency

or turn your wings to the distant lands

to whence lies the unknown

the unknowable

the distant shore-

Or return to your cell.

 Alicia Ponder

An exciting weekend because I was lucky enough to have my poem, "The Trouble with Time Machines" published in "Eye to the Telescope," .  Check out in particular "Rapunzel," by Mary Victoria but there are also some great poems by people like Helen Rickerby (first up), Janis Freeguard, Peter Friend my oft partner in crime, and the surprising Joe Dolce, (better known for songs such as "Shaddup you Face" than his poetry).  Edited by the redoubtable Tim Jones its well worth a look - because as Tim says, 'Whether you love poetry, you love SF, fantasy, and horror, or you just want to find out what on earth speculative poetry is, there is something for you in "Eye To The Telescope 2".'

Also received my contributors copy of Challenge magazine, with "Survival" co written with Peter Friend.  Of course it's not Frankie, as my kids are quick to point out.  Thanks guys - but the magazine is absolutely awesome and I'm so proud to have been a part of it.  :)   I even bought some extra copies from Australia because I knew it would be popular and I'm already running out!  They're mine.  All mine.  

A.J. Ponder's work is available through Rona Gallery, Arty Bees, The Children's Bookshop and good New Zealand bookstores