The Moon's Last Word

By Arunanshu Chatterjee

It takes nine billion years for the light of the farthest star – seen by humankind to reach Earth. Nine billion. The star in question (christened Icarus) looks to the human eye as it did when the universe was only a fraction of what it is now. But to those closer to these sparkling orbs - the moon and the other planets – it is a different story. Stars, like people, die. The simple fact is that it takes so long for a star’s light to reach Earth, that humans will not notice their absence within the average lifetime. It may take millions of years before the skies look any different from Earth but to those in Space, they know the truth of it.

The stars are gone. Nothing else. They are simply not there anymore. In fact, there is only one that remains, and it is the sun; though that is on its way out too. The more distant stars began to fade and disappear centuries ago, and humans have not and will not notice for some time. So few of them take a moment to appreciate the sheer beauty of what glitters above. Cities drown out the light of stars quite effectively and too few people wander to lay in a grassy field and gaze upwards at night to view the full scope of the masterpiece awaiting them.

The moon, who was the closest and dearest friend of the stars, was affected the most by their slow disappearance. It was hard to say goodbye to the first few, but the hope lingered that no more would vanish and they would not lose anymore cherished companions. But the stars continued to wane and flicker and sputter, until at last, they went dark. Some of them faded quietly while others exploded violently, creating supernovas and black holes.

Some stars left behind remnants and reminders of their former selves as a gift to the moon. When these stars exploded, fragments of their dust and gas amassed together in a cloud, bringing life to new nebulae. The moon loves these colorful memorials but there is always a twinge of sadness and longing connected to each. How the moon wishes desperately that these nebulae might reverse themselves and revive its brilliant friends from so many years ago.

And when the last shimmering star, miles, and miles away gave way to darkness, the moon felt completely and utterly lonely. It knew with absolute certainty that it was the end. The sun was the only one left but even that was beginning to die. The moon turned away from the remains of the old friends and gazed with fear and desperation at the sum. And it said only one word in a pleading anguish that brought a melancholy happiness to the sun who had no say in the matter whatsoever. The whispered word echoed through the empty galaxies and continues to reach the farthest corners in despair.

“Stay.” 

By Arunanshu Chatterjee