NOT FOR A LONG TIME
by Martha Michael
NOT LONG AGO YOU CHOKED BACK TEARS
AS THE PLANET TILTED, TIPPED TOWARDS WARS
AND NOW WE STAND AT THE GARDEN'S EDGE
AND SEARCH THE STARS FOR MARS
A BLOOD RED WARRIOR CLOSE AT HAND
IS SELDOM HARD TO FIND
BUT WE WILL NEVER BE THIS CLOSE AGAIN
NOT FOR A VERY LONG TIME
HE'S NOT SO RED AGAINST THE MOON
WHO FILLS AND EMPTIES JOYS AND SORROWS
AND EVEN IN HER DIMMEST NIGHT
CAN SWEAR MORE LIGHT MORE BRIGHT TOMORROWS
ARE THE FORCES THAT ALIGN US HERE
COSMICALLY DESIGNED
AND WILL THEY LET US BE THIS CLOSE AGAIN
NOT FOR A VERY LONG TIME
NOT FOR A LONG TIME NOT FOR A LONG TIME
NOT FOR A VERY LONG TIME
NOT FOR A LONG TIME NOT FOR A LONG TIME
NOT FOR A VERY LONG TIME
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SO MANY DREAMS ARE PINNED UPON
THESE BODIES IN THE SKY
AS IF THEIR MOVEMENTS COULD DIRECT
THE WAY OUR FUTURES LIE
ELLIPTICAL, PREDICTABLE,
THEY MOVE IN CLOSE THEN PULL AWAY
THEY'RE NOT DIVINE, JUST FOR A TIME,
HEY HOLD US IN THEIR STARRY SWAY
THE FABLED HEROES OF THE SKIES
ARE SHEPHERDS' STORIES, FARMERS' LIES
BUT WE WHO TEND THE PLOTS BELOW
CAN SEE THE TRUTH IF WE ARE WISE
AND THOUGH OUR GLOW IS DIM AND BRIEF,
NO BODY CAN ECLIPSE OUR SHINE
AND WOULD WE TRADE OUR PLACE FOR THEIRS
NOT FOR A VERY LONG TIME
NOT FOR A LONG TIME NOT FOR A LONG TIME
NOT FOR A VERY LONG TIME
NOT FOR A LONG TIME NOT FOR A LONG TIME
NOT FOR A VERY LONG TIME
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