How Close Was Mars? |
Mars was so close you could see it next
to the moon like they were conjoined.
So close I had to duck when walking up the stairs.
Mars was so close sixty-six thousand years of
history dropped in my late summer bucket like
Los Angeles rain. Mars knocked on my door
last night. Said, in a hurried fashion
"Get the hell out of my way." Mars,
You're so close, the property values are changing.
You want a glass of water, Mars? It's a trick
question. The scientists made me ask it.
Mars, a seed fell off your surface and landed in
our atmosphere. A strange tree sprouted and
grew as tall as a dozen fire hydrants. Mars,
you were so close the new gravity uprooted
that tree and it fell back to you. We're building
a chunnel to you Mars. Will you visit? Would
you like some potato chips? Don't answer!
The knowledge would give us an unfair advantage.
Mars, I remember when you were a smidgen,
a twinkle, a bissel. A pinpoint of red, just left
of the moon. Just a pinch of you in the sky
giving confidence to the Hungarians. We clutch
our telescopes under our beds, Mars,
hoping you'll think we're not home. We're out
eating goulash, we're not worth coming so close.
copyright 2004
Rick
Lupert |