c. Sara L. Russell 11:21 05/01/02

Mars gave a kiss to Venus
in a colonnade of cloud,
bringing relevance to dreamers,
lifting conflict's bitter shroud;
and the putti danced with satyrs
till the heavens reached rapport,
while lords and money makers
waived the taxes of the poor.

Mars lay down with Venus
in Appollo's golden rays,
missiles became party streamers
beneath his doting gaze;
and Jehovah walked with Allah,
lion slumbered with lamb,
while Buddha played the sitar
for the sons of Abraham.

We each have a piece of Venus
at odds with the wrath of Mars;
deep fissures lie between us
as we dream beneath the stars,
bloodied rivers of caprice
mark the valleys which divide
the pacifist from peace
and humility from pride.

Venus gave Mars her flower
in a distant dream of hope,
denuded him of power,
tied him with a hempen rope;
her passion unabating
till only love might reign.
Now the world is waiting
for the dream to come again.