Kiss of the Eagle

Many eons passed on Earth, who only saw your face
Untouched your virgin body, floating there in space
Waxing, waning, gibbous, crescent, quarter, full and new
Selene the Greeks would call you; Diana, Caesar knew

Who would brave the ether, who would cross the void
To agitate the tranquil sea you had so long enjoyed
To softly kiss your ravaged face and return to tell the tale
Of Luna's hidden secrets beneath her powdered veil?

Three heroes took the final quest aboard their fiery steed
In Apollo's silver chariot proceeding with godspeed
Three days and nights they voyaged to their opalescent goal
On Earth they watched and worried in the halls of ground control

One held the craft outside the reach of Luna's jealous grip
While Eagle's talons cradled two who risked the final trip
They timidly approached her through the shadowy abyss
Luna waited patiently and received the Eagle's kiss

Nations watched and cheered on Terra's distant shore
As one man finally took a step no one ever took before
In our hearts and in our minds his words will be enshrined
"That's one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind."
Copyright © | Year Posted 2012

Poem

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Marcum Wong Avatar
March 24, 2015 at 1:53 AM
This is magnificent in so many ways Roy. I am happy that I remember this historic event and watched it on T.V. while at work. We were all watching at my company of about 250 workers at the time. I love the metaphors you weave into this really amazing poem. It is going into my fave's. Blessings, Connie 7+
Valentina Avatar
February 23, 2014 at 11:35 AM
Whoa! Excellent work! Congratulations on your win! Much deserved.
Onclaud Avatar
February 23, 2014 at 7:51 AM
a historical delight, roy.. cheers to you for a top win!.. huggs
Pettit Avatar
February 22, 2014 at 9:13 PM
Whoever was alive at the time remembers where they were and what they were doing. Nice descriptiveness about the Apollo 11 mission and the three brave astronauts who made the flight.
A  Avatar
February 22, 2014 at 8:01 PM
Congratulations Roy. Well done. SKAT
Van Akkeren Avatar
February 22, 2014 at 5:55 PM
Congratulations on your win...a wonderful read, it take you there... cheers Huberta
Gildersleeve Avatar
February 22, 2014 at 5:48 PM
Roy congratulations on your well deserve win. Perfect meter and fantastic rhyming and metaphors. I enjoyed the note "About Your poem". Outstanding write my friend. Warm Smiles, Connie
Richards Avatar
February 22, 2014 at 9:33 AM
Such a great poem, dedicated to the Space programs of the past, so truly enjoyed the metaphoric take on 'the moon's face, ' and many ways you made this poem magical. Great too, to read your "about this poem" explanation, from where your inspiration arose. Well done, Roy!!!
Lamoureux Avatar
February 22, 2014 at 9:17 AM
You possess a magical pen and I am in awe of your mastery. Congratulations Roy!
Hamilton Avatar
February 22, 2014 at 6:22 AM
words fail me Roy as I try to exalt your wondrous pen stupendous, fantastic and exquisite come to mind yet barely scratch the surface one for fav's to be savored time and again congrats on well deserved win hugs
Jerden Avatar
February 22, 2014 at 8:50 AM
Thanks Shadow! This one is actually one of the first poems I wrote on Poetry Soup, inspired by Neil Armstrong's death, recent at the time.
Mehta Avatar
February 22, 2014 at 3:25 AM
Enjoyed the write on Space and Time and congrats on the win, Roy
Walker  Avatar
February 22, 2014 at 3:10 AM
Brilliant Roy... Congratulations on the win... Verlena
Peterson Avatar
January 25, 2014 at 12:26 AM
Roy, too bad the rating only goes to seven. I'd give it 10+. This is one of the best poems I've seen on the Soup. Solid rhyme and meter--nothing contrived in the least. I was lucky to be at the launch of Apollo 15 and tracked several other missions via telescope. Met four of the men themselves.
Peterson Avatar
January 25, 2014 at 12:29 AM
Great notes in about this poem. I had missed the double meaning for the Sea of Tranquility. I'm saddened by the loss of these astronauts and that when deeper space exploration served its political ends, the effort was abandoned. The Saturn V blueprints have been lost, and no one even knows how to build one now. Such a waste.
A   Avatar
June 16, 2013 at 5:45 PM
Roy, How are you this lovely evening? :-) Congratulations with having your awesome poem featured on the soups home page.... sending hugs. Hope you are enjoying this day with your family. always & forever *LINDA
Carrillo Avatar
December 17, 2012 at 10:16 AM
Congratulations Roy; It was a pleasuew to read this poem. Thanks for sharing with us. Lucilla
Guzzi Avatar
December 11, 2012 at 3:37 PM
A most excellent write and a great quote to use! Congrad's on your win. Happy hoildays. Light & Love
Connelly Avatar
December 11, 2012 at 9:58 AM
Congratulations on your win Roy.:-)
Tams The Golden Girl Avatar
December 11, 2012 at 4:38 AM
Congrats on your winning spot Roy , well desreved xx
A   Avatar
December 10, 2012 at 10:16 PM
Roy, Congratulations with your winning poem... always~PD
Roberts Avatar
December 10, 2012 at 7:29 PM
Just read your Poem Roy, well I bow down to a master....Seren
Dietrich Avatar
November 30, 2012 at 4:43 PM
wow, what a tribute to that first moon walk. I remember it well. July '69, watching it on the tv in the Sears department store in Seattle with my Dad. What a poetic way this was to show it!
Jerden Avatar
November 30, 2012 at 5:33 PM
Wish I had written it back then! I was inspired when Neil Armstrong died a few months ago.
Fraser Avatar
November 25, 2012 at 2:46 AM
Man this is really good, Ray , a perfect heavenly tale spun directly from the wizards wand. You are a wizard Ray. Blessings Carl,
Cavanaugh Avatar
November 23, 2012 at 3:37 PM
Astounding! What a wondrous poem. It wasn't until the third stanza that my eyes were opened to this metaphoric poem. This will be going in my favorites.
Jerden Avatar
December 1, 2012 at 4:49 AM
Thanks, Jon. There are some astronomical references that I explained in the "About this poem" page. Just as a matter of curiosity, could you read this section and tell me which ones you "got"? Thanks, Roy
Andresen Avatar
August 28, 2012 at 11:23 AM
An appealing poem Roy - very well written - oxox / / Anne-Lise :)
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