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Poetry
Science Fiction

Nitrogen and oxygen
relentlessly rammed the sails
on Magellan's famous voyage.
Selfless suppliers of momentum
they, the unsung heroes
carried his crew around the world.

Those same molecules
scorched by flame
hoisted a linen bag.
On the strength of their backs
did the Montgolfiere apparatus
first raise men from Earth.

When slapped, saintlike
they turned the other cheek
bestowing equal and opposite force.
With the airfoil bludgeon
aviators conquered the skies
da Vinci’s dream fulfilled.

In a meeting of cousins
with carbon and hydrogen
they gave their all.
A fiery family reunion
liberated mighty thrust
powering Heinkel’s jet.

Selfless oxygen, chilled to liquid,
joined its hydrocarbon relatives
in a final, joyous sacrifice.
This momentous celebration
impelled Gagarin’s craft
around the earth in space.

The venerable nonmetals,
each with gentle might
and the soul of a martyr.
Which will step forward
become our next champions
and propel us to the stars?

                                              


 

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Copyright 2010, Christopher Kastensmidt. All rights reserved.

Longing for the old days of discovery but lacking any new places to look, Christopher Kastensmidt decided to explore the frontiers of the global economy by working for a start-up in Porto Alegre, Brazil.  Ten years later, the company was purchased by Ubisoft Brazil where Chris now works as Creative Director.  He has published fiction and poetry in magazines around the world, including Realms of Fantasy; Dragons, Knights, & Angels; and Third Order.  He is also the author of the Elephant and Macaw Banner series.  More information can be found at http://www.eamb.org/ .

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