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The Rim of Space on Audio

Blackstone Audio have release The Rim of Space on Audio as part of A Galaxy Trilogy VOL. 4
























Wastebasket

Nostalgia

I

And as our tangled tales we write
We weep awhile into our beer...
Where are the Knights of Yesternight?
Where are the Lords of Yesteryear?

II

Where's Dracula,1 who lapped up blood
And flapped around his castle drear,
Slept in a coffin full of mud?
Where are the snows of yesteryear?

III

Where's Tarzan,2 swinging through the trees,
With rope of grass and home-made spear?
His crocodiles and chimpanzees?
Where are the snows of yesteryear?

IV

Where's Carter,3Lord of all Barsoom
Leaping across her deserts sere?
Whose son emerged from egg, not womb...4
Where are the snows of yesteryear?


V


Where's Valeron, long leagues away?
And Skylark, with her super gear?
Her crew, whose names I cannot say?5
Where are the snows of yesteryear?


VI

Where's Kinnison, who wore the Lens,
Who dressed in grey and knew no fear?
Where's Tregonsee, and all his friends?
Where are the snows of yesteryear?

VII

Where's Lazarus, surnamed the Long,
Who faced old age without a tear?6
The Families, tradition-strong?
Where are the snows of yesteryear?

VIII

Where's that Big Ship, that onward sped,7
With culture, crew and customs queer?
Where's Joe-Jim, with his double head?
Where are the snows of yesteryear?

IX

Where's Tom, who still escaped alive,
Though he was chased from there to here?
Where's Daisy, with her Diesel drive?
Where are the snows of yesteryear?8

X
And as the printed page we scan
The salt tears splash into our beer...
The idols of the old-time fan
Are with the snows of yesteryear.

1 In Hollywood.
2 And him.
3 Last seen consorting with Lemurians.
4 Run, don't walk, to the nearest Dianetician.
5 I can't remember the buggers' names. Anyhow, they wouldn't have fitted the rhyme or the metre.
6 Between stiff covers.
7 I wonder how far she HAS got?
8 Have you checked any pro-mag slush piles lately? Ed.
Originally Published in Wastebasket No: 3 1951