I have been writing off and on for many years. Now that I'm retired from the work force, I'm dedicating more time to the craft.

Gaia and Me

She reached her hand below the hill

Silly me, I believed it was an artifice

Instead she displayed her uncanny skill

And the sun appeared before both of us

Not to be out done, outwitted as it were

I reached ‘hind her ear, grabbed moon’s light

I made the lit slice stay there in front of her

Though clearly it was no longer night

This thing we’re doing

The feud we’re pursuing

Was not meant for your viewing

Or joy

It’s just collateral

Our venture’s pull

‘Cause it leaves the skies full

Of our toys

She spied me one day make Ursa Minor

And of course she countered with Major

Then said ain’t my work so much finer?

And should we perhaps make a wager?

What shall we bet? And ain’t’s not a word

She just rolled both her eyes and made thunder

In clear perfect skies so if anyone heard

They’d be certainly filled with wild wonder

This thing you’re doing

This fight you’re pursuing

You’re better off eschewing

I said

Oh you must be a-scared

The real you is now bared

Your true weakness is aired

She said

I belly-laughed and my chortle made lightning

I’ve no fear oh my dear lovely lady

I returned in a voice feigning frightening

Mere words to my mind aren’t that weighty

Her laugh in return caused a sun flare

Thank goodness ‘twas before ‘57

No satellites then going ‘round up there

Just us two and the near-empty heavens

Oh this thing that you’re doing

The match you’re pursuing

Will see you boo hoo-ing

Not me

She winked at me then

Flared and clapped once again

Made some clouds and said friend

We’ll see

The stakes they will be for forever

She exclaimed with a gawd-awful smile

In a sport that’s a taxing endeavor

One we’ve not played in quite a long while:

Who can sit and be quiet for longest?

Not move one hair or their chinny chin chin

No motion, no faces, who’s strongest?

That one’ll be the one who’ll win

My, this thing we are doing

Is it worth us pursuing

To achieve the ensuing

Result?

Yes, she said, that’s my call

The loser shall fall

We’ll end this free-for-all

Of tumult

So we sat down cross-legged and facing

Each other and much angst was felt

Then bolides ‘cross the sky started racing

As we passed through the Perseids shower belt

Oh the meteors she shouted, surprised

Then clapped her hand o’er her mouth

I moved neither muscle nor eyes

Aware for her things just turned south

Oh this thing we’ve been doing

The ends we’re pursuing

You’ll forever be rueing

It’s true

The stakes they are these

You’ll remain where I please

No more wide galaxies

For you

So she lives right here to this day

Made the trees and the weather and glaciers

I think if you asked her she’d say

She’s quite fond of just being Mother Nature

As for me I’ve moved on with dear friends

After sweet victory away I did scuttle

Toward the wide-open universe’s ends

With the remains of the comet Swift-Tuttle

Oh the fun things I’m doing

They’re so worth pursuing

I just love how we’re strewing

Stardust

I’ll get back here friend Mother

After all I’m your brother

And we love one another

We must...

See you next year!

© 2020 greg cain

Comments

greg cain (author) from Moscow, Idaho, USA on August 31, 2020:

Thanks, Devika. Yours was an enjoyable comment, too. Have a good week.

Devika Primic on August 28, 2020:

You write and encourage our minds in great thought. An enjoyable read

greg cain (author) from Moscow, Idaho, USA on August 17, 2020:

Thanks, Lora. It is quite fun to let the mind out for a free, untethered walk on occasion, no? I appreciate you visiting. Have a blessed week, my friend.

greg cain (author) from Moscow, Idaho, USA on August 17, 2020:

Ann - as always, thank you kindly for your thoughtful comments. I appreciate you coming along for the ride across the galaxy!

greg cain (author) from Moscow, Idaho, USA on August 17, 2020:

Nicholas - thanks, my friend. I appreciate your visit and your great compliment. Looking forward to more of your works in future, too.

greg cain (author) from Moscow, Idaho, USA on August 17, 2020:

Thanks again, Sha! I am a snap-happy guy with my iphone camera. I take millions and keep many fewer shots. Sometimes I get a good one.

This piece was a lot of fun to put together. I learned (again) that you don't know where you're going until you get there.

Are we there yet? Are we there yet?

greg cain (author) from Moscow, Idaho, USA on August 17, 2020:

Lorna - thanks so much for the kind words, and I agree. In truth, all I had to begin was first line. Indeed, it actually started with just the one word: artifice. And then after removing the bridle, the horse ran where it wanted...

greg cain (author) from Moscow, Idaho, USA on August 17, 2020:

Eric - That is a fantastic compliment, and I do honestly appreciate it. I have a boy who is a grown man now. I don't believe he'll appreciate works like this now in the way he might have when younger, or the way he might (hopefully) when he is older. Time will tell. Thanks again.

Lora Hollings on August 17, 2020:

Your poem is very creative and stretches the imagination, Greg. It reminded me of the Greek gods battling for power. Full of fun sparring words and photos which enhance your imaginative duet between these two. I loved your rhythm too. Wonderful work!

Ann Carr from SW England on August 16, 2020:

So entertaining and such fun! Love the illustrations and you've crafted this cleverly, using space, sun, moon, constellations, meteors......

I was captivated and was galloping along with all this activity which seemed like a see-saw of challenges - great!

Ann

Nicholas W King on August 16, 2020:

The two forces of the universe, personified as brother and sister. Nicely done. And a great rhythm to the poem. I enjoyed reading it.

Shauna L Bowling from Central Florida on August 16, 2020:

Wow, Box! Just when I'm thinking "you can't fool Mother Nature" you come in from behind as her brother. The message I'm getting from this is that we humans must work in conjunction with Mother Nature, not against her. For in the end she'll win and we may not like the outcome.

Brilliant piece!

Your personal photos are stunning. You were definitely in the right place at the right time.

Lorna Lamon on August 16, 2020:

It's incredible where your imagination can take you, and this was a wonderful journey, which held my attention to the end. Great photos which complimented the poem.

Eric Dierker from Spring Valley, CA. U.S.A. on August 16, 2020:

I read this because you wrote it. I stayed because it is great. I have just a little boy so constellation are translated into life.

greg cain (author) from Moscow, Idaho, USA on August 15, 2020:

Thanks, Liz! Very fun putting this all together. The only line I had when I woke up this morning was the very first one. I didn’t know what it meant then, but this is where it took me.

Liz Westwood from UK on August 15, 2020:

This is an imaginative and extremely creative poem. You have matched it with some great illustrations.