Dueling Princes

This was my response to Pluto being down-graded from its planetary status

“Dueling Princes”

 

To me,

You will always be more than

Mickey Mouse’s dog or
The king of the underworld –

You are my rebel planet,

The one who always refused

To follow behind the others,

Making your own off-kilter elliptical way

Through the black veldt of space,

My dual dueling princes

Pluto and Charon.

Not hot like sexy Mercury,

Not venerable as Venus,

Not home like Terra Firma,

Nor the lustful machismo of Mars,

Nor great and large like Jupiter,

Nor bejeweled like ringéd Saturn

Nor the butt (ha ha) of every

Juvenile joke like poor Uranus,

Just an anomaly past Neptune

Nor are you now even a

Planet any more by the whim

Of these learned astronomers –

Just a lone misfit

Adrift amidst our cosmology,

Unknowable and now

Unwanted.

Fear not,

For you will never be alone –

Together we shall wander,

And be obscure,

And keep our secrets.

 

 

 

Author's Note

This poem was published in "Children, Churches and Daddies" vol 170

Reviews

[Greg Close]

This is witty, smart and well crafted. It's not often that you can sneak in humor, some science, and a genuine bit of nostalgia, and pull it off - you did. I also must admit (somewhat guiltily) of chuckling out loud at the reference to the Uranus humor. I'll enjoy this one at least a few more times, I think. Thank you!

[imawriter]

I'm adding this to my favorites list! ahem.. need I say more? :)

[Sound]

This is a very interesting topic to write about. It was great with the references to mythology (Mars, etc.). Nice work

[Jason Henry]

the title is more than perfect for such a poem...great choice! very easy to follow, and very easy to appreciate and love...pluto will always be a planet to me too "just an anomaly past Neptune"

[Nely Amorim]

Poor Pluto! I wasn't even aware it was no longer considered a planet..lol where have I been? I do like the way you made it seem alive and your humour was fun to read. Thanks for entering my contest :)

[Celestine Astraea Fires..]

I, too, am upset that Pluto is no longer a planet.

The human emotions and feelings that you attribute to Pluto, as well as the other planets, is original. I loved it.

[kishie]

Creative ...do you love astrology???

[DRIVEN]

VERY creative, and what a subject LOL...you made us feel sorry for PLUTO!!! I love the part

"Fear not,For you will never be alone
�Together we shall wander,And be obscure,
And keep our secrets. "

[Adrian K. Smith]

I hate how bubbledheaded and fluffy it may come off to say that this is an awesome piece, but the manner in which you attribute such human emotions to the planet; it simply would not be right to call it any less.

[K C Scott]

This is a very creative poem. I never thought to have sympathy for poor little Pluto. I really liked the labels you placed on the other planets, too. It was a fun piece.
I have to take the other side on this one though. Anything smaller than our moon and just as desolate is not a planet, it's a rock. (in my opinion)
I love poems that make people want to share their opinions. It says a lot about the writing and the writer. Nice job!