The theme depicted in Porta Temporis (Latin for time window), is one that illustrates an idea which has appeared in the works of science fiction since the first sightings of UFO's in the post WWII era.
The scene takes place in a Metropolis of the distant future...let's say 2199. Two saucers are seen - one at close range, the other soaring into the heavens. The closest saucer has USAF clearly written on the side of the craft. There is a time window which has opened up and through it can beseen a vision of Stonehenge - though, not in ruins - but when it was first constructed..... perhaps some 6,000 years ago (or earlier!). Hovering over the ancient megalithic structure is what appears to be a saucer identical to the two crafts seen in the future Metropolis.
The inescapable conclusion: visitors from our future have unlocked the mystery of time travel and are capable of visiting Earth's distant past. PKD would no doubt chuckle at this notion as he certainly was familiar with it as evidenced in THE PENULTIMATE TRUTH and other works. Fact or fancy? One can only wonder.
John Meluch was born in 1948 in the once industrial town of Lorain, Ohio. His earliest memories include the nightly fireworks of a nearby steel plant, the rumble of locomotives in his backyard, and the distant chatter of shipyard riveters......all a distant memory now. He has worked at several careers including: teacher, shipyard worker, graphic artist. He presently resides in
Lakewood, Ohio where he teaches High School English and also does freelance
digital graphics and photography. He has most recently collaborated with
British 3-D digital artist Tom Grimes.
