at first...

the red was disconcerting

then I found that the canallian symmetry

defines a certain basic order

in this plasma-cored planet.

A double moon is not

as romantic as you would think

when viewed through concave flexiglass

but the very thought

of a double lunar eclipse

injects a rictus of pleasure

into a mundane alien lifestyle.

The cold reality of a force field

(lest the Cygnum attack)

invokes such an envy

for those of good fortune

or influential relatives

posted elsewhere

and skeptical of my horror stories

as they enjoy the warm bubble-pools

in green Venusian comfort.

The strange dread that grips

when the sun rises smaller than normal

never seems to diminish.

I wonder how the Plutonian crew

view their poor excuse for a dawn.

I had never known

that pure water is tasteless

and I constantly long

for something to slide down my throat

and leave a hint of itself

behind on my tongue.

more of my FREE VERSE POEMS here