ON MARS
we were drinking pina coladas on Mars
getting quite drunk
and let me tell you
there is nothing to compare
nothing quite so heavenly as getting
smashed on alcoholic drinks that
taste quite gorgeous
but Mars
has no lush tropical islands
it has no Mauritius, it has
no Seychelles, no Caribbean
no beaches to speak of, but
all things considered it was the best we
could afford
and the rusty iron red-browns of the rocky dust plains
do take on more magical hues, after
the serious spirits blended into the cocktails
begin their transformative work
and Mars itself whispers:
thank you for coming Earthlings, I am
as you well know
a sister world but, for you,
totally alien environment
and we have had our scares and our differences
my guys invading you and wiping out humanity
you guys invading me
and repeating at our expense your
own genocidal proclivities
but
forgive and forget
for some of your slightly and totally round-the-
bend crazies are taking a new look at me
and wondering, were we not really close
is Mars not
holding the secrets of our origin
close to its heart
to its ancient lifeless breast
and so
close you eyes
and open them
check how those dull browns seem to
be moving through the red spectrum from
crimson, to scarlet, to
truly spectacular vermilion
and it is
as if you have lost your footing and
the scenery, landscape
had changed
feel
as if you are falling
but you aren’t
you’re fine
but they are here to meet you
wish to
explore all
ways to get near you
my children of Mars
dreaming this moment
for a very long time