My Letter to the Comet That Didn't Stop By

A comet came all the way from another solar system this year, only the third visitor like it that anyone has ever found. In December it made its closest pass by Earth. Then it kept going. It didn’t stop. It didn’t even slow down. So I wrote to it.

The Letter

Dear Comet,

Welcome to our solar system. It’s the best one. I’ve seen pictures of the others. Not great.

I noticed you passed Earth without stopping to see me. Rude. Every important visitor stops to see me. Kings. Queens. The man who fixed my pool. You’re not too important to stop. You’re a rock with a tail.

Scientists pointed giant telescopes at you to listen for signals. Nothing. Not a word. I know all about playing hard to get. I invented it.

Yours, Donny

The P.S.

P.S. If you are a spaceship, like some people say, you should know we have very strict parking here. You’d need a permit. I can get you a permit.

P.P.S. Come back anytime. You’ll be very far away by then, but I’ll be right here, waiting, with binoculars.