R E T R O G R A D E

Sell my soul to space in grand temptations
Of moon and mars – pursuit of nations…
“An upturned bowl we call the sky
Trapped under which we live and die”
Envelopes of change are pushed
In starless velvet clasped in dust
Bright Daedalus climbing high
Beyond the clouds in darkling sky
Rising effortless on wings of light
Heedless of gravity, ignorant of plight
To hear Jove’s melancholic wail
and steer old Halley’s flaming tail
To finally glimpse Pluto’s secret face
Tween Ceres shining aspects pace
Circle Saturn’s icy stare
Necklaced moons dancing where
Once a sister world had hung
Torn apart its essence flung
In retrograde motion tumbling far
Eclipsing light from a farther star
Fall home now the journey set
With sleeting thrusters slowing yet
Tasting the air in burning fires
Over rolling hills and humming wires
To land home again, in youth renewed
Ambitions goal at last pursued

AFTER HART CRANE

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