Sunday, January 25, 2004

ASCENTION


Gas ball bouncing, rolling across surface,
Stops, deflates, unfolds, extracts --
Solar panels unfurl, charging batteries,
Internal systems brought to life.

Cameras record vistas, rover rolls;
Rocks and dirt studies and sampled.
Successful mission paves way for more,
Landers, rovers, finally sample-return.

Humanity folows close on heels,
Colonizing in fits and starts.
Small cities bloom and interconnect,
Supporting missions further out.

Jupiter's moons one day host colonies,
Increasingly populated solar system expanding;
Transports move steadily between habitations,
Sustaining humanity's toeholds out there.
One day entire system colonized,
Time to migrate to the stars!


(c) 2003 MSW
SATURDAY MORNING AT THE QUIK-LUBE


Greeted by attendant with eyes piercing blue,
"Good morning sir, are you familiar with our service?"
I think to myself, if he only knew --
Hiding lasciviousness inside, I try not to be nervous.

Entering the shop, I opt for basic selection.
Taking a seat, leafing through newspapers --
Other customers present, engaged in conversation.
I settle in for a wait, read about troublemakers.

Man recounts tale of hitting seven deer,
Couple enters in, guy with stunning profile;
Trying not to stare, they might realize I'm queer,
Sure nice scenery here, I ponder with a smile.
People come and go, and soon my car is done --
Saturday morning at the Quik-lube, vignette in time, then time to run.


(c) MSW 2003 - a sonnet
HOT AIR


Dean takes center stage,
Cooly, dispassionately recounts facts;
Gephart, Kerry showing their rage,
Vigorously launch their attacks.

Kucinich, Edwards join the fray,
Leiberman, Moseley-Braun remain aside;
Let the others strut and bray,
Remaining ones quietly taking it in stride.

Dean, Kerry, Gephart jabbing,
Rebutting, countering, ducking & dodging;
Occasionally they rise above gabbing,
Goal is democratic White House lodging.

Now hypothetical taxes get cut,
Discussing free healthcare for all;
Promising to get USA out of a rut,
Lofty statements hold supporters in thrall.
Sure looking forward to this summer,
When I can escape the hot air of all these runners!


(c) MSW 2003

Weaponize

 The military is always on the lookout for new weapons; Various advanced drones and aircraft flit about in our skies, Beamed laser weapons h...