Saturday 16 November 2013

In Venus


We have the best views:
red sky slurping deeply rim of fire 

As far as our eyes can see
everything is burnt glass & metal

Mountains crusted in mud & basalt 
Heat is a lonely vigil

Wind-scarred, we gather what we
came here for:  rocks & crowns for any evidence of life

Underneath the microscope, we conclude
birthing is possible even in driest & acidic of conditions

We open our mouths
And sailboats winged gold & mauve, scatter

like meteorites that sank our prior
loves to soot & clay 
   
By afternoon, lightning silvery & violet threads
make us fearless & glorious as pulsing orange sun 

I bring out my secrets at night:  bare
shoulders radiant in candles because there's no moon

in ceiling of storms, only dust
effervescent as wine foaming the plains turbulent blue

We lie down
in the shape of volcanoes, lava & clouds spewing

Soon I am feverish with words
ardently catching everything 

from starlight to tiny dying planets -   
The cosmic wind slows slow
  
As time floats with us
after discovering we can't handle

black, sumptuous in emptiness
& bottomless space 

Spinning sluggishly,
we lean in like trees

aged amber embracing smoldering planet 
we now call our own.


Posted for:   D'verse Poets Pub- Sci-fi poetry hosted by Bjorn ~  Thanks for the visit ~


Please note that I will be taking a short break from writing to focus on my studies ~
  

48 comments:

  1. Such a rich piece that works beautifully with the image. Good luck with your studies, you'll be missed.

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  2. I love the feeling of discovery in this poem, Grace. To be one of the first to arrive on a new planet would be an exhilarating experience!

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    1. I thought the scenario would be fun & wild Mary ~ Thank you ~

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  3. I enjoy the rich imagery you use to describe this planet Grace! Good luck with your studies. You will be missed.

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    1. Thanks Gabriella ~ It will be a short break only, till end of November ~

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  4. wow...very nice grace....i would so be joining the journey...i wish to have lived in the age of discovery and i thik space will be the next at least i have always hoped....smiles...what an image too ...saw something similar in the studios today....very cool piece...

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    1. Thanks Brian ~ Looking forward to your writing about it ~

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  5. ps....enjoy your break...smiles.

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  6. I love how you can imagine the universal feelings in a totally new context of a new planet... seems like love is hot in that planet.

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    1. Thank you for the interesting prompt Bjorn ~ Venus is really a hot planet, smiles ~

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  7. An incredible piece of poetry, Grace, like something engraved in bronze within some future museum on Venus, depicting the pioneer spirit of the first Venusian homesteading horde.
    A fitting flagstone to your incredible body of work, and like the others, I salute your tenacity to put your education momentarily ahead of your art.

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  8. Gorgeous imagery is sight of these pioneers, who have each other, else "heat is a lonely vigil" indeed. My favorite part is:
    We open our mouths
    And sailboats winged gold & mauve, scatter

    like meteorites that sank our prior
    loves to soot & clay

    Wow, Heaven>

    What are your studies?
    I wish you joy and hope you visit a lot.

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    1. It's for my industry certification which I take very year to keep me sharp ~ Exams is in two weeks and poetry is such a big distraction ~

      Thanks Susan ~

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  9. To see such things be found, would really be profound. Have a nice break

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  10. Sumptuous. Like biting into a sun-warmed, luscious peach.

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  11. I'm not sure how to do this prompt, but you crafted a beautiful write, Grace. A bientot ~

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  12. Grace, what a sumptuous world. >KB

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  13. Nice poem Grace Venus is a beautiful planet..one I've always wondered about..best of luck with your studies..

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    1. So like and near us yet so unlike us ~ Thanks Truedessa ~

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  14. bare shoulers are the sexiest, even under hellish skies

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  15. As I see it, you make a an interesting observation, pointing out we look for life in the "driest & acidic of conditions" at the same time as "we can't handle ~ ~ black, sumptuous in emptiness ~ & bottomless space" as "We lie down ~ in the shape of volcanoes, lava & clouds spewing". It is interesting we do not take action but look for hope.

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  16. Remarkable! "aged amber embracing smoldering planet we now call our own." A truly beautiful close.

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  17. rim of fire as red as desire....

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  18. This is great, Grace! I especially like:

    I bring out my secrets at night: bare
    shoulders radiant in candles because there's no moon

    in ceiling of storms, only dust
    effervescent as wine foaming the plains turbulent blue

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  19. An Incredibly rich poem filled with gorgeous imagery. So So nice!

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  20. 'I bring out my secrets at night: bare
    shoulders radiant in candles because there's no moon' ~ new point view - interesting... hope, Grace you'll write something while at break :)

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  21. Grace, it is a gem with all the right imageries. Good luck for your studies! Nicely!

    Hank

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  22. Couldn't tick your radio box as it wasn't your usual 'hot' [ for a change ;-)] and it certainly is a great deal more than just 'interesting'.
    amazing in fact: the number of metaphors and other images that you laced this with is amazing.
    A true poetic read.

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  23. Some great language choices all through this one Heaven, but this is one of my favourites:

    Mountains crusted in mud & basalt
    Heat is a lonely vigil

    The yearning is something that remains. Good to read you again.

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  24. :) an everlasting wonder--------venus.
    best wishes...

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  25. Beautiful, your writing sends me to a rich and wonderful place that I never want to leave, just incredible.

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  26. Great piece. Hurry back, we'll miss you! I know you'll do great with your studies!

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  27. This is poem with a believable story. I really enjoyed the way you used colours in this piece.

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  28. Lovely images, Grace. Very sensual, too. :-)

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  29. surreal imagery and as I took each line slow, it painted itself alive!

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  30. intense, vivid imagery befitting the sci-fi prompt, Grace!

    have a wonderful week!

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  31. love these lines:
    "As far as our eyes can see
    everything is burnt glass & metal"
    &
    "We lie down
    in the shape of volcanoes, lava & clouds spewing"

    beautiful work as always

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  32. beautiful.. As time floats with us
    after discovering we can't handle..

    loved the pic you used

    Deep, thoughtful read !!

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  33. Wonderful Great imagery and setting. It would make a perfect story for a sci-fi book. You must consider writing one.
    I wish you a happy new year. Have a good time.
    -HA

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Thanks for your visit and comments ~ I appreciate them ~