A Dream Too Far Distant

Night revolves in stillness, reaching for the dawn. Orion, Taurus and the Dogs, yield to Deneb and the Swan. And there in deep south rising, a blood-tinged, pulsing heart, Antares, stinger and the claws: celestial works of art. But now comes an intruder amid Scorpius’ vivid stars, for Antares is but mere rival to the dazzling orb of Mars. In dreams I've often wandered and traversed empty space— through darkest matter I have roamed, yet yearned for just one place. Its icy poles I’ve glimpsed from earth— winds and saffron dust— iron from exploded suns gathered there as rust. I’m sure I’d miss the color green— long for skies of blue. But brand new memories I’d espouse forgetting hues I knew. Alas, I'm tethered to the earth— can’t travel into space. So in twenty, maybe thirty years, won’t you please go in my place? 1st Place, Mars Contest