Les Murray

Science Fiction

Science Fiction - meaning Summary

Faster-than-light Loneliness

Murray’s poem considers human connection in an age of instantaneous communication. It contrasts the mind’s ability to traverse distance with the inability to make contact that feels real. Technology—phones and videophones—allows rapid exchange but preserves an invisible barrier: conversations replace physical presence, leaving a mix of consolation and pain. The poem registers the strange intimacy and persistent loneliness of being reachable yet untouchable.

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I can travel faster than light so can you the speed of thought the only trouble is at destinations our thought balloons are coated invisible no one there sees us and we can't get out to be real or present phone and videophone are almost worse we don't see a journey but stay in our space just talking and joking with those we reach but can never touch the nothing that can hurt us how lovely and terrible and lonely is this.

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