Here’s a wonderful collaboration between hard-core science and light-hearted, grassroots art: NASA is inviting everyone to contribute a haiku to be considered to be carried into the Martian atmosphere. In addition to the three winning poems, the first names of everyone who submits will also be carried to the red planet’s atmosphere. Poems must be submitted before the end of June. For full contest rules, please go to http://lasp.colorado.edu/maven/goingtomars/contest-rules/
And what’s more, the public gets to vote on winning poems—kind of like “Dancing with the Stars”.
Between July 1 and July 29, 2013, do visit http://lasp.colorado.edu/maven/goingtomars/contest-rules/ to vote.
Even though the odds are…well, astronomical…I can’t resist submitting one. Or writing five. If you would like to start voting early, I invite you to help me decide which I should submit. I will be submitting mine the last week in June. Be sure to get me your vote by June 22, 2013. You can vote in the Comments section at the end of this post.
Mars Haiku (by Leslie Schultz)
1)
We lie awake, Mars,
wondering: how did you make
ice? Your rock-red heart?
2)
Mars, we lie awake
wondering what lies under
ice caps, heart-red rock.
3)
Not strawberry, flame,
cardinal, antique barn door,
ruby. Still secret.
4)
red marble rolling:
blue marble comes calling now
across icy space
5)
Mars: humans fight fear,
laws of physics, driven by
curiosity.
And if you would like to publish your own Martian haiku here on Planet Earth, send it to me, and I will devote another post to Mars haiku in the long dog days of summer. Then sit back and know that, win or lose, your name will rocket into space later this year and next year will do an orbiting dance in the Martian atmosphere.
For someone who values words, this is literally as high as one can aspire: go for it!
Other News
Mars and Earth images are public domain images which were found on the bitbox post, 35 Stunning Hi-Res “Public Domain” Astronomy Images
For a lighthearted take on Saturn energy, take a look at a new page on the ancient topic of labyrinths, a long term exploratory and publishing interest of mine. Click HERE to visit Winona Media’s new Labyrinth’s page.
Thanks, Priscilla.
I am glad you like it! Leslie
Hi, nice article. I really like it!
Hi Jan,
Thank you for giving me a hearty laugh this rainy morning. ALL of your votes are recorded!
Have I enticed you into drafting a few of your own? Hope so! Leslie
Hi Myrna and Rose,
Your votes are recorded. Thank you! Do you want to write one (or six?) of your own?
Leslie
My daughter, Rose, says she likes #5 best. I like #4 best.
My daughter, Julia, says she likes #5 the best. I have yet to pick just one!
What a supernova idea! I especially like haiku (haikus?) 1, 2 & 5, but feet to the flame, I’d go for #1. Or #5. Ah, gee! #1.
Hey, Marea!
Duly noted! (Hope we get some stargazing in this summer over Lake Superior!)
Thanks, Leslie
I’ll vote for……………………..#5!
Hi Tim,
What a good idea! Those elements would combine into striking wallpaper. Leslie
I love the red marble / blue marble haiku, especially when paired with the Mars/Earth images. I’d like to turn that into wallpaper for my laptop at work. Would that be OK with you?
Thanks for you thoughts, Ellen! I always like to know your reactions to my new poems. Leslie
Leslie,
I can’t decide between 1 and 5 but I think the scientists would like 1 better so I’m going with that. They’re all so good, Leslie.
Hi Nina,
It is great to have your vote for the “scientific inquiry” one! Leslie
Thanks, Julia! I have recorded your vote.
Leslie, I enjoyed them all, but I particularly liked haiku 3.
Hello Leslie! All of the haiku are delightful, but I must say my favorite is number 5.
I appreciate the feedback. (So far, Haiku #4 is in the lead in this straw poll.)
Leslie
Leslie–Love the haiku, especially 1, 4, and 5.–Doug