Report to Alpha Centauri

A Report to Alpha Centauri is a collection of poetry that explores the sense of awe at the grandeur of the universe and the insignificance of our species. It warns readers to stay and face the challenging questions, honesty, and anger at the hubris that is destroying life. The poems are serious and sometimes tinged with despair, but also have a large and intelligent wit at play. At heart, it is a eulogy written in the heart-rending voice of a visitor from Alpha Centauri, 10 million years after the last humans have left, a world of shadows and ghosts.

Format: Paperback / softback
Publication date: 06 September 2021
Publisher: Cinnamon Press

The sense of awe that permeates A Report to Alpha Centauri extends beyond the grandeur of the universe and encompasses the profound insignificance of our species. John Barnie sets the tone early on, warning the reader in the poem "To the Reader" that they may want to turn away, as these poems exist in a world devoid of the warmth of yellowhammers and the sound of drills and wrecking balls. However, for those with the ability to see and hear, it is imperative to remain, not for solace but to confront the challenging questions, the unflinching honesty, and the searing anger directed at the hubris that is causing irreparable harm to the lives of countless beings. Barnie, like all prophets, emerges as a stranger, walking in a direction that diverges from the mainstream.

Serious and occasionally tinged with despair, A Report to Alpha Centauri captures humanity's perverse race toward self-destruction through striking imagery that lingers in the mind. At the same time, there is a significant and intelligent wit at play, manifesting in wry comments and melancholic humor. Barnie, akin to Kierkegaard's father shaking a fist at the universe, raises his voice against the insanities that we often take for granted, refusing to bow down to the gods of consumerism. At its core, A Report to Alpha Centauri serves as a eulogy, written in the heart-rending voice of a visitor from Alpha Centauri, 10 million years after the last humans have departed, leaving behind a world of shadows and ghosts.

Sharp, urgent, and ultimately humane, this poetry demands our attention and engagement. It is not a form of art that we should dismiss or turn away from. Instead, it serves as a poignant reminder of our place in the universe and the responsibility we hold to protect and preserve the fragile tapestry of life. By staying open to the messages conveyed in A Report to Alpha Centauri, we can cultivate a deeper sense of awe, humility, and compassion for all beings, recognizing the interconnectedness of our existence and the urgent need to address the challenges facing our planet.

Weight: 112g
Dimension: 141 x 216 x 7 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781788641128