Eve of Purple Leaves In Deep Space

Retrorockets blasted
Spaceship settled down
Soft landing on a planet 
Dust plumes swirling ‘round.

Crewmen tested atmosphere
Before exiting the door 
Donned cumbersome spacesuits
With a planet to explore.

Soon, strange life forms appeared 
One tall, one nimble and small 
Each wore purple leaves, from purple trees –
that’s all.

The small one plucked purple pears 
But before she ate, gave one to her mate 
The spacemen shouted quickly--
“Stop! Please wait!” 
--James Tate
Copyright © | Year Posted 2011

Poem

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Brown Avatar
October 8, 2012 at 12:13 PM
Congratulations on your placement in Nathan's "Deep Space" contest James. Love, Carol
Liwayway Avatar
October 5, 2012 at 11:32 PM
nice poem friend James. Congratulations on your win. :)
Squyres Avatar
October 5, 2012 at 5:16 PM
ok...I had to laugh at that last verse...you caught me off guard !!! How marvelous !! Trying to prevent history from repeating itself lol Congratulations on your win...I'd have given this first place !!! Thanks for the smiles and the laugh !!
A   Avatar
October 5, 2012 at 4:23 PM
JAMES, congratulations with your awesome poem in Nathan's "deep space" contest.. enjoyed~ xox~pd
D. Avatar
October 5, 2012 at 3:48 PM
thanks for the support' nate
Fraser Avatar
February 4, 2011 at 12:26 PM
Love the little twist at the end James, wonderfully written. Have a wonderful weekend....:)
Devonshire Avatar
February 1, 2011 at 5:19 PM
Wow! I love science fiction writes and this one is terrific, James. Another Soup Member James Fraser writes similar sci-fi poems. You took me on an imaginative journey. Thanks! Love, Carolyn
Pettit Avatar
January 28, 2011 at 4:59 PM
Is this poem based on a short story by Ray Bradbury? You have good descriptiveness and rhyming in this presentation.
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