Friday, March 28, 2008

Mars

Mars is a place of:
silver towers inhabited by graceful aliens
canals and ancient cities
deadly frozen deserts
human dreams walking out of shadows
barbarian armies and warrior princes
terraforming and legend-building
NASA rover robots
failed colonies
black holes circling the core
a blue giant meditating
war and disaster
staging expeditions to distant stars
ice
armies of invasion
friendly robots
immense mountains
ghosts and hopes
dead civilizations.

Mars has been the home of our dreams,
the cradle of our nightmares,
a bridge to the rest of the universe,
red,
green,
blue.

--with thanks to Kim Stanley Robinson, Ray Bradbury, and everyone in between.

Collection available! Knocking from Inside

13 comments:

Granny Smith said...

No wonder I turn to your Sunday Scribblings as soon as they are posted! Mars was the first planet of my dreams when I was a little girl, and I am still convinced that, through my father's telescope, I saw the canals as plain as day!

Anonymous said...

Mars IS sort of our alien neighbor, isn't it? I'd almost forgotten Bradbury's Martian Chronicles, but this brings them back so clearly.

Gemma Wiseman said...

That red planet has been such a source of incredible writings.

Your post captures our ongoing nfascination with the mystery that is Mars!

Gemma

anthonynorth said...

Not sure about the astronomy, but great poem :-)

Tumblewords: said...

The juxtaposition of NASA robots against the ephemeral castles is great. A well done piece. I'm tempted to re-read the Martian Chronicles.

Dale said...

(o)

Anonymous said...

exquisite

WDS

Linda Jacobs said...

I love how you ended with those colors! So many images here and those colors really bring them alive!

writerwoman said...

You are one of the featured poets of the week at Poets Who Blog. Thanks for being a part of the site.

Jacie said...

I just wanted to say how much I love your poetry - have only just stumbled upon your site but it's wonderful and I shall make it a regular visit from now on.

Bobbe Edmonds said...

As the current ruling monarch, I want to say that you have captured the beauty and elegance that is my homeworld quite succinctly. If you ever care to visit, I will treat you to a tour of the shimmering forest, not visible from Earth.

However...How does one put it delicately?

We serve frogs. As a side dish. Just so you know.

Hawke said...

The imagery smoothly entered my mind and I landed on Mars.

Wonderful imagery, pacing of words, I feel I can hear your whispers, your shouts, your joy, your marvel as you guide me.

Very cool.

Silatyogi said...

FANTASTIC!