For today’s prompt from Robert Lee Brewer’s Write Better Poetry blog, take the phrase “(blank) Story,” replace the blank with a word or phrase, make the new phrase the title of your poem, and then, write your poem. Possible titles include: “Toy Story,” “Super Long Unusually Strange Story,” and/or “Same Old Story.” Poem your story, so we can get at the second half of this challenge.

Red Shirt Story

On the lower decks I live and work—
the inglorious life of a Starfleet grunt.
At long last, I’m top of the duty roster
and hear my name over the intercom,
ordered to the transporter room
where I’m issued a phaser.

The stars stride in— Captain, First Officer, Doctor.
I remain in the background, practically a prop
but I’m eager for fresh alien air
after months of recycled breath.

The ticklish glow of energize,
and I’m on a dusty plain under a strange sky.
I don’t even get the chance to unholster
my weapon before impaled through the spine
by a primitive spear. The doctor frowns
as he takes my fading pulse.

I don’t get last words.
I don’t even get a name.