Gaia and Me
I have been writing off and on for many years. Now that I'm retired, 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

My friend Molly is a professional astrophotographer. She took this picture for me on the evening of 15 Aug 2020. Used by permission.
Molly Wakeling, AstronoMolly Images
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.