The Alien Artifact

THE ALIEN ARTIFACT

Clarke’s Third Law: Any sufficiently advanced technology is
indistinguishable from magic. --Arthur C. Clarke, Profiles of the Future, 1961

I threw my spear. It disappeared from sight!
It missed the darting deer and landed near
a perfectly round ribbon, black as night,
unnatural, unknown a thing to fear.
I tried to nudge it with my finger, but
it moved away and sang the melody
of some unknown and lonely creature shut
within, so desperately calling me.
My soul responded singing just the same.
The scary ribbon floated over my
advanced forehead, and softly spoke my name.
It settled down around my neck. I pry
and yell and pull up, but the thing is frozen.
I, Tan Nigontig, had become “The Chosen.”