Day 12  National Poetry Writing Month 2021

Today`s pompt (optional, as always). I’m calling this one “Past and Future.” This prompt challenges you to write a poem using at least one word/concept/idea from each of two specialty dictionaries: Lempriere’s Classical Dictionary and the Historical Dictionary of Science Fiction. A hat tip to Cathy Park Hong for a tweet that pointed me to the science fiction dictionary and to Hoa Nguyen for introducing me to the Classical Dictionary.

Classical Dictionary -  Matronia 

 Historical Dictionary of Science Fiction -  Martian

Patrons of the Planets

throughout all history 
humans have looked to space
for guidance from the Gods
planets moving with such grace

Romans worshipped their deities 
to bring good fortune to everyone
Matromia honouring the God Mars 
flowers were offered by only a matron

venerating so many gods 
with rituals, festivals and parades
all the pomp and ceremonies
music, flowers and dancing maids

through to the present day and on
Gods replaced by orbiting planets
advances science lets us know more
for now we can race up in rockets

unlike our ancestors, we can reach Mars
and search for a Martian or two

will we dishonour the God of War?
or will science bring a breakthrough

a new era awaits as we travel 
exploring the life of each planet
the universe is there to see
full of mystery and enchantment!

(C) Lissie Bull 2021