The Lord will provide 2 (Rose)

Times were tough I'm telling you
Sometimes I didn't know what to do
Put our name down on a list
Arranged to get a hamper for Christmas
But this time my dear Lord said to me
" Don't worry: the Lord will provide!"
I was so thrilled to be so very blessed 
I was to put the dear Lord to the test
I told Rose of His promise to me and
Was just so very happy! 
The very next day Rose came around
Two big boxes in her arms 
She'd brought a leg of lamb for roasting
A Christmas pudding, vegetables too
Even a pastry mix for a pie and 
Whiting from her own freezer
Caught by her darling hubby
All these she brought for our Christmas feast
Just as the dear Lord had promised
Just as He had said: He provided!

From this heart

From this heart comes all my love

From this heart I’ve opened up

I’ve let you see my deepest soul

I am just what I’ve shown to you

There is nothing else to hide behind

You see right through this life of mine

Lord you are my greatest love

No other heart could hold me thus

I surrender all my worldly woes

Up to you all worry goes

I am empty of all earthly gold

Only you I long to hold

You accept me just as simple as I am

With you I am no glamazon

No outer shell could hide my soul

You live here in this heart; without a doubt

Ties that bind

How do you describe love?

How do you explain that feeling?

How do you understand the workings?

Of the greatest love of all!

Dear God in heaven

So loved the world that

He gave His only begotten Son!

What love for us He showed!

What mercy for our sinful state!

Lord; why would you want to save us?

We don’t deserve your forgiveness!

We don’t deserve your love! 

Yet you have given us the ability

To rise above our sinfulness

You have granted us the possibility

Of peace and joy and forgiveness!

If only we would accept your precious gift?

You are my Father in heaven!

You are my Father in every way!

You have adopted me into your family!

You have taken on the responsibility!

You look with patience upon my sorry life!

You smile and wait for my stumbling steps

To bring me nearer and nearer to you!

You watch from afar as I slip and fall

You patiently send your angels to my aid

You never turn your back on me in my distress!

You are my one true Father in heaven

With your love I cannot fail

With your peace in my heart I will grow

With your patience I learn to understand

How every one of us is worth saving!

Simply because you have already

Paid our price in full!

Your blood shed on Calvary

For us! For me! For all your children!

Your tears shed for all of us!

You took upon your soul all of our sins!

You freed us from our misery because

You were perfect in every way!

You came sinless from heaven to be our sacrifice!

Perfect in every way; without blemish!

Because of your precious gift we are freed!

Because of your perfection we are made clean!

Your blood has washed me clean!

Thank you Lord for loving me!

Ant Freeway

The heat of summer is upon us

The ants are going crazy all the while

They need to collect everything

They need to store their winter’s supply

They find their way into the house

Ever searching for their grub

They like sugar and honey too

They like anything that comes from you

Scraps of food left on your plate

Anything that’s left; won’t go to waste

For them is just another bargain basement

In their hunt

I see their little trails

Winding up my cupboard walls

Under ledges, out of sight

Until you find them …

Outside the house is just the same

The utilise everything in their game

Trees and flowers, bits of wood

Everything becomes their freeway

That’s understood!

They search and search all day long

Even along the garden hose!

I see them speeding along their way

Carrying everything in their way

Millions of tiny little ants

Racing up and down their ant freeway!

Little boys

Another little boy

So much more joy for us all

If he’s as gorgeous as his brother

You’ll want to have another.

Santiago is so cute

His little bro will be too

Cute as a button

Sweet as a pea

He’s won my heart already

Cowboy Chris

I only met you a couple of times

Over the years at Andrew’s parties

I spent just a short time talking with you

And found out you were a Cowboy

You wore your boots and cowboy hat

I learned that was you and that was that

I’m sorry I never got to know you better

So this is why I write this letter

The BBQ for your 48^th birthday was planned

Up at Sanderston, your little piece of land

You face as you rode around on your quad bike

Was pure joy to watch as you raced about!

All your dearest friends and family

Gathered there to be with thee

Though only 48 years had passed

‘Twas such a shame to be your last

We sat around to celebrate your life

Though sadness was present there too

Your pale drawn face was plain to see

We could not mistaken be

After all that loud company had fled

And you were taken off to bed

Relaxing before your warming fire

I was blessed to look into your head

For your books and movies there collected

Were many the same and as I reflected

I realized how close akin your choices were

My heart was hurting, my mind a whirr

So similar was your dear movie list

With those I’d watched and loved and missed

We watched “A man Called Horse” that night

I was so upset at your plight

If only I had known you better

If only you would just get better

But Dear God’s plan for you was yet

Up in heaven among the red sunsets

I imagine you in your cowboy gear

On your horse ranch and every tear

That flows for your dear memory

Is wiped away by your treasury

Of your dear sweet family’s pictures

And thoughts and good cheers

As you ride that horse trail through the years

And beside you up in the heavens above

Surrounded by sweet Jesus’ love

Our Dear Christ is reminding us

Your price was paid and dearly bought

Heaven is where you are to be sought

In memory of Christopher Richard Hill

‘Lakota’ to his closest friends

Loving son of Dorothy and the late Clarrie

Loving brother of Andrew and Jeanine

Loving uncle and great uncle

22^nd May 1962 – 7^th September 2010

My Lord lives within my heart

Don’t understand your slights

Guess I’ve never been that bright

Been so blooming late

In catching up my fate

Don’t look down your nose at me

Don’t pity me my life

If you could only see

The real me inside of this frail body

You’d be the one to hide

As empowered as I am

“Tis God’s power here that shines

I am that transparent vessel

That is used by God to bless

Those that feel like I do

That He is the ruler of this universe

With this I wholeheartedly agree

I feel so buoyed up with hope

That’s what I use to cope

No crying now for me

‘Cause I truly see

How fortunate for me

My sins no longer mine

My evil bridges have I burned

I glide along like on snow

I will no longer hide

This shining gift inside

The joy that overtakes

Any fear or shiver that quakes

I soar into the skies

I see and realize

The Lord lives within my heart

There inside He is a part

Of my very being

Within this simple heart

Our rhythm is in flow

We join together this to show

How easy it can really be to allow

The dear Lord to live in thee!

Your love is vital Lord!

Over the last few years; the pain has got me down!

I’ve struggled to cope and get along; but let you down!

I know I’ve whinged a lot and made a fuss!

And now I realize; I need to make amends!

For being a pain; grumpy to everyone!

I’m sorry to have been such a grouch!

I even think I beat Oscar the Grouch to the bin!

That’s the fog of life I’ve been living in!

So “I’m sorry” to everybody that I know!

I hope you’ll understand and let me go!

I cried so much because I felt so useless!

Truth be told; I know now it was a plan!

To help me understand my lucky life

To help me comprehend how life can change!

To help me see that there is so much more!

To be appreciated; accepted; taken on!

By letting Jesus into this heart of mine!

And surrendering my whole life Lord; to Thine!

Oh dearest Lord; I’ve seen the light!

That radiates and shines ever so bright!

You’ve taken me in and loved me all along!

You don’t care if I can walk or run!

You don’t care if I can sing or hum!

You see in me; what I want to become!

You’ve been there with me all along!

As I struggled; cried; crawled along!

Now I finally see; what you’ve planned for me all along!

I am finally free from wanting things I don’t really need!

I am content to be at your feet where I belong!

As long as you need me; Lord; I am here to stay!

Lord; I ask you to lead me every day!

Lord; I ask that you guide me as I pray!

Lord; without you; I would surely go astray!

So this is why I thank you every day!

For loving this poor sinner that I am!

I don’t deserve your love; Lord!

Or any other good thing that you have!

But I cannot now see any other way!

Two little boys

Two little boys; so very loved!

Two little boys; so little yet so big!

The first looked so small

Until his brother came along!

I used to think his hands were so tiny!

But now I see the light!

He’s grown so much and now

When I look again

As we play together and hold hands

And run around the house

He’s so full of laughter!

He’s so full of love!

He gives his cuddles when he’s happy

He gives his frowns when he’s not!

But he always has a kiss for his brother

Whether he’s happy or not!

He gets so excited!

He gets so overjoyed!

When we go to the shop together

And maybe buy a toy!

He understands a lot of things

But has so much yet to learn!

As he wants to buy some things

But also wants to keep his coins!

Now as I look at the little baby boy

Who’s growing up so fast!

I can’t help but compare him

To his big brother

And watch and sigh and laugh!

For he will be another

Just like his big brother!

Who will laugh and play and have his say!

And make us love him just as much!

As now we love his dear big brother

The one who has us twisted around

That little finger that he waves at us!

And makes us follow him

Everywhere he wants to go!

Graduation Day

It was graduation day and we were all so excited

After three long years it was time we celebrated

The day was beautiful the sun was shining brightly

The clouds were as powder puffs

Put up there by dear God almighty

The university was just as I remembered it

From all those years ago (34 to be exact)

The stairs were still as steep and as many

But after thirty years, I climbed them much more slowly

Today it was Shelley’s day, her special time

A day for dressing up and getting ready

To greet a brand new life

With those extra letters to be written

After her dear name!

Well done my honey, good work!

Perseverance has paid off!

As we drove around the corner and I looked at all the cars

I thought “Dear Lord help me find a place near by

To park this car as I’m already so tired Lord

Help me make it through this day!”

We drove along the riverside and as we went along

A sudden insight; a flash in my mind

We’d be walking up those stairs and soon

Because there was a space just a little way up there

To help me cope with the pressure then

I knew the Lord had already answered my prayer!

As we neared the bridge near the gate

A little car was ready to exit the car park

So I slowed right down and indicated

That the park was mine

There we were exactly where that flash foretold

And up those stairs we went

Ready to greet the time when Shelley was to present

Herself to all those parents, friends and all

Who’d come to watch their loved ones graduate!

The Bonython hall was packed

Hardly any seats remained

And as we were shown our places then

How wonderful it felt to be in that great room

Among that throng of families all there to watch and shout

Congratulations to every one

Who’d graduate that day! To all well done!

That evening as we went to La Trattoria restaurant

To celebrate as our family did gather

It was with such a proud that voice I proclaimed

To our closest ones all there

Thank you all for coming to celebrate as a family!

Thank you Vanessa and Humberto

For bringing my dear grandsons

Santiago so big, and Zecarias so cute in his bunny rug

Josh was there with us and Violeta too

As we sat around that table and toasted to our life

Tim and Michael and me: (mother to our brood!)

The food was as great as ever it was

When we’d eaten there over the last 30 years

The company was wonderful, the pleasure great

As we all got together to celebrate!

The free champagne provided by dear …

Just made the whole day complete!

As we all left the restaurant and breathed the fresh air in

How wonderful it just felt, to be alive just then

Everything had made the day just the best that it could be

We hugged each other and as we said our goodbyes

It was such a wonderful pleasure to be joined by our host

As he congratulated our family on our special day

And hoped that we would come back there

To celebrate again real soon!

The long drive home followed then

And the journey went so fast

It was wonderful to reach our home at last

And get out of that car.

We stretched our legs and were welcomed home

By our four-legged family

As Amy and Kia came to say

“We’re so glad you’re home

Did you bring us anything?”

Got home and inside at about 11:11

And said my prayers and sat right down

And thanked the Lord again

For our family, our friends and pets

For keeping us all safe

For simply giving us the means to love

To feel joy and to see the stars at night

For giving us the ability to love

To be grateful in His sight

And for being with us where ever we may roam

And for bringing us again, safely home!

Four Months

After the flood in Dec 2010

I can’t believe it’s been four months

Since the heavens burst their walls and

Rain came falling down in that immense squall

To have seen those massive darkened clouds

Come massing towards our homes

In a way I’m glad I missed that part

But I see the remains of all that mess

It’s still around me today everywhere I look!

Still the furniture sits outside upon that veranda there

Still my rooms are empty, my floors are bare

Just outside my front door the evidence replies

As I look at the damage that came from those great clouds

Water can be beautiful as it trickles in fountains and ponds

But what hit our home that day was really way beyond

The sheer force of that torrent is still to be seen today

As I walk down the driveway and the rocks and pebbles roll

Everywhere is evidence as I turn and look around

In the crazy growth of saltbush and all the trees about

So green and tall and robust so unlike a few months ago

Everything is growing, everything is green

But underneath their branches that’s where the mess in strewn

There’s grass and mess and rubble, sand and sticks and logs

The evidence of power that water can unleash

A few drops do not matter but this was not like that

One hundred and seventy four mils a thunderstorm does make

A huge growling, angry monster of ancient tales at least

No one could have tried to face that raging beast

Uprooted trees and soil washed down from hills above

Too much for any little creek to hold it in

Too much for the roadside gutters to keep in

And so it washed down through the paddocks

Took fences down along its path

Even a poor wombat was no match for the storm’s wrath

The grass was flattened and downtrodden

The piles of matted weeds and anything in its path

Still lies in piles and stays there as evidence of that day

Now as I search for my firewood, carried up and washed away

I see the total carnage as everything was up-rooted, tossed

The water was a river where no river was before

It took everything along for that not so joyous ride

Then dumped it willy-nilly like flotsam on the tide

It tore through the old rubbish dump, unearthing long lost things

Like scattered bones of dinosaurs long buried and long dead

They looked like a skeleton, the backbone and the ribs

Of some old farm machinery, a long dead farmers’ aid

There it lay all naked and sprawled in its decay

The stones so massive and heavy near the ghost of a railway bridge

Were hoisted and moved along unearthing old railway dogs

Everything was shifted, moved, carried along

Until there was no where else to go, deposited and dumped

Where ever the water had decided, no choices given there

Nothing was untouched, not even the old stove

All was moved and swept along as the wave was rushed

Now it all just lays there, the air so quiet and hushed

Now there are birds and small creatures going about their lives

As though none of it really happened, just a nightmare to be dreamt

But all around me on the ground, the evidence is there

To be unearthed and re-discovered like an archaeology site

Only no dinosaur bones are laying, no animals of yore

Just an old rubbish dump displaying all the accoutrements

Of a farming life gone by and little bits of stuff and nonsense

From some families as well as ours, I don’t know who or when

But all those bits and pieces would tell if they could

About that stormy night in December last

When rainstorm turned into mighty torrent!

Right here in this drought stricken land!

How can I keep from crying?

Inspired by How can I keep from singing? Enya (Shepherd Moons)

In dreams I wander lost, alone

I hear the angels singing

Then as I’m drawn toward that sound

I feel my heartbeat ringing

My Lord has called aloud to me

My heart is joyfully springing

I hear His words and cry to Him

How can I keep from singing?

Though my dear Lord went years ago

It’s like I see Him now dying

And as He shed His tears for me

How can I keep from crying?

He took my cross away from me

And as I hear Him sighing

‘Twas my sins that He carried

How can I keep from crying?

His precious blood was spilled for me

And as He hung there dying

I can feel His pain anew

How can I keep from crying?

As that sun set upon His sweating brow

I can hear Him crying

Unto the Lord on Calvary

How can I keep from crying?

Now my dear Lord is near again

I long to see Him coming

As from the skies He will appear

How can I keep from singing?

It was for me He took those steps

Though it was so long ago

To me ‘twas only yesterday

How can I keep from singing?

Too many days

Lately there have been too many days
Too much has happened
Too many things to go wrong!
Too many things to upset the apple cart
Too many "too much" days
Way too many to count!
My daughter's miscarriage
My husband's Diabetes
My sons worries and stresses
The inability of huge companies to find paper work
The 3 long months of waiting to connect our solar panels
The stress of bills getting higher and higher
The threat of more wars all over the world
Lord there have just been too many 
Of those "Too much" days!

Santiago my Super Hero

Santiago turned 5 a few weeks ago
Now he's such a big boy
He's starting school and growing up
He says he's all grown up already!
He wants to be a super hero
He wants to save the world
He says he'll spread God's love
Everywhere! He'll be God's super hero
Showing how it's done!

In dreams

In dreams I searched for treasure
I looked every where to find it
But all I ever seemed to get
Were coins; small and not much of a find!
It went on like this for many long years
Until recently; a few months ago
When it seemed my luck had changed!
I was in a huge city, heading for the outskirts
Found a huge heap of gold
Tons and tons of huge ingots
Every where I looked I saw
Gold and silver and bronze!
So much gold I found, I couldn't believe my eyes!
Then as we were heading home
A lone Policeman came
He stopped us every day and took what ever he could find!
In the end we turned around 
Whenever we saw him come
Pretended we had none to share
Pretended we were picking oranges instead! 
Showed him our huge bucket full of fruit
But he was waiting down the street
Sitting in his car just around the bend
Waiting for us to come his way
Waiting to take it all!

Golden rings

I had a strange dream the other night
I was there to aid people; help their plight
When ever I had food to give; so many people came
Even when the food ran out; it was just the same!
But instead of food I gave them golden rings
Because that was all I had; told them to buy some food
Told them to come on back if it ran out
I would give them more and more; until it all ran out!

Running on empty

Running on empty; running dry
My printer's empty; don't know why?
Must be all those pages I printed
Must be all that stuff
How come there's never enough?
Everything's getting smaller
Prices are getting higher
Doesn't seem fair
The rich get richer 
The poor get poorer
Lord there's got to be a time
When things get better
Somehow we've all got to get up
We've all got to get together
To make that change!
It begins with one then two ...

Instinct 333

Do you ever look at number plates?
Do you ever wonder what they mean?
Do you ever listen to your intuition?
That precious "gut feeling" 
Call it instinct; knowing! What ever?
Whenever you feel the need
To listen; to take heed!
Do it! it is the higher power
That instinct is your compass
It is that unfailing pull 
To lead you where you are meant to go
That unexplained God-given something
Above mere mortality
That innate sense of ESP!
I found three cars the other day
Each had three threes
I looked and felt so amazed
Like a beacon was lit for me
I felt so beautifully connected
To my dearest Lord and
His dear angels high up above
That precious connection
That gossamer ribbon
Flowing down from the heavens
Twisting around my heart and soul
Keeping me connected
To my dear Lord's soul!

I understand

I see your pain mum
I understand
You love your girl
I see your tears flow
I understand
I love my girl too
I hurt with you!
I see your pain dad
I understand
You love your girl
I see your hands move 
I understand
The tears won't flow for you
You must be strong
I understand
You love your girl
I feel for you!

Beach babies

My eldest daughter loved the water
Wanted to walk right in
My second was more cautious
Headed the other way
My son watched at the pool side
Saw us having so much fun
He jumped right in and scared us
We all jumped toward him
To save him as he went down
My heart leapt to see his little hand
Reaching up to grab the edge
His little face already emerging
As we reached that place
I thanked the Lord for His saving grace!
As I held him; touched his precious face!
Now I watch my dear grandsons
Running into the waves with glee
It is so precious to see them
Their smiling; laughing faces

Bring such memories to me!

The look of evil

Moomba; Melbourne; many years ago
Met up with friends; had a ball!
The kids enjoyed the fairground rides
The Yarra River entertainment too
It was stifling hot for Melbourne
Uncomfortable; quite a strain
But it wasn't until much later
That I felt the another force
I felt the power of his stare
Never met him in my life
But I could feel the evil in his eyes
My heart felt heavy; overburdened
Couldn't really explain
But His eyes they held mine unflinching
I felt his hatred; stabbing like a knife  
He was staring at me and my family
I felt the need to run away
But as I held my ground and stood there
Staring; unable to break that chain
I thanked the Lord for His dear grace
I felt blessed to be able to move away!

Trust and obey

One of my favourite hymns

"Trust and Obey

For there's no other way

To be happy in Jesus

But to trust and obey!"

I love my dearest Lord

In Him I place my trust

If you really think on this

You will see it is a must!

Each and every day

Where ever I make my way

It is to Him that I say

"Dear Lord guide my every 

Thought, word and deed!"

In Him I implicitly trust!

Peacemaker

Don't like confrontation
Don't like verbal attacks
I'd rather a peaceful way
Putting everything back on track!
Don't like being teased
Don't like being called names
I'd rather find the better way
Happiness wins over fear
Any day!
Let me be the peacemaker
Let me lead the way
Love and peace always wins
Never let your heart stray
Always look for the quieter way
The way that Jesus showed
When He was on this earth
When He gave all to save us
His love paves the way!

Still together

Still together after all of these years
We've had some great times
Along with all the tears
Our youthfulness is gone but
We're not alone
We've changed a bit
No doubt about it!
I used to feel regret but
Now I understand
We had our ups and downs but
Really; love grows
Love expands
Maybe we didn't achieve 
Some of those things we planned but
Life's been good
Life's been hard
We've earned our rest
With every yard!

Intuition

I had a feeling
I had to go home
A certain way
To find a book
At the Port Adelaide
Op-shop! I found that book
It was called
"Cracking the code
On Intuition"

I've had it!

21/1/13

I’ve had it with people

Who treat others with disrespect!

I’ve had it with people who

Don’t give others any credit!

I’ve had it with people who

Don’t treat people like

They expect to be treated!
It’s not fair!

You want respect?

You’ve got to earn it!

You want credit for what you’ve done

Give others the same courtesy!

You want to be treated like you expect?

Then treat others with respect!

Tell Jackie I love her

21/1/13

Tell Jackie I love her

Tell her that I always will

Tell Jackie I love her

Tell her that though

I’ve left this earthly world

I will love her still

Tell Jackie I love her

Tell her to think of me

Tell Jackie I love her

Tell her that love still reigns

I’ve left behind this mortal coil

But when Jesus comes

I will live again!

Love cousin Johnnie

I sent Johnnie and angel

 21/1/13

I sent an angel to Johnny

I guess I was too late

Unless that dear angel was

The one sent to escort him

To St Peter’s gate!

I’m so sorry Jackie

That you feel so distraught

If only I could change time

Bring loved ones back to life!

Just like Jesus did

In His less than ordinary life!

Glenelg beach 17/1/13

The heat was hotter that hot (42C)
The air too still to breathe
Concrete radiated; unbearably hot
Everything hung limply in the air
Humans; limp; drooping
The beach called; welcoming; cool!
The waters green; enticing
The sunshine; still blinding but
Sun was finally withdrawing
Surrendering it's hold on day
Finally the sensible humans
Came out to play!
Two little boys; eager to meet the waves
Mum and dad; watchful but relaxed
I was ready to swim into cool oblivion
My flippers and snorkel ready
Needed to feel that cooling spray!
Jumped right in; without delay!
Oh Lord that cool cool water
What blessed release on this
 Hot, hot summer day!

A fishing boat close in to shore
Swimmers everywhere
Frolicking; every which way
Youngsters splashing
Youths; ball throwing
Pet lovers; dog walking
Beach goers; loving the sea's cool waves!

I swam out into the sea
Searching for some peace
Sea grasses waving to and fro
A couple of fish close to the rocks
A tiny stingray underneath some sand
A crab playing hide and seek
Amid the moving seaweed
Very little sea life close in to shore

Walking back across the sands
My legs were tired and weak
I'd found my peace; my blessed release
In swimming; now to head for home! 
The sands; covered in foot prints of all kinds
I saw tracks of every sort
Car tracks, people tracks; foot prints of all sizes
And even bird tracks; unreadable
Like hieroglyphs form ancient days
Written in seagull!

Underwater world

I watched the seaweed dancing
A school of tiny fish swim away
A huge crab scrambles from me
To it I am a monster from which to flee
I am just enjoying watching everything
I am not a threat; just a curious snorkeller
Yet I am hunting for fish; for anything that moves
My eyes dart to and fro
Trying to see everything at once!
A tiny shining abalone shell; abandonded
A squid drag; like a huge green tiger prawn
My brain soaks it all in!
The sea grasses moving at the current's whim
The colours; the contrasts; the creamy sand
The light shining in like laser beams on display
My Lord is shining the way
Showing me the ocean at play!

Pink coral

The pink coral was hiding
Beneath the dancing sea flowers
The fish were easy going
A crab was slowly creeping
Everything was moving
Beneath the living sea
I was just a visitor
Trying to capture it all
My mind a-whirl;
Making memories
As I was snorkelling
At Noarlunga Beach

Grandpa's shorts

The heat of that 70's summer
Two weeks of unending heat; no respite!
My grandpa said "it's not so hot!
I've still got my long john's on!"
The days went by without a breeze
The heat was fierce; as a beast!
The summer nights though cooler 
Were stifling; still; unrelenting!
By the second week
Poor grandpa was sagging
His energy was flagging
Finally; he was ready to admit
It was too hot! He collapsed!
There was nothing to be done for it
He accepted a pair of shorts
Th e long john's were tossed aside
His spindly little white legs
Were seen by all
As he surrendered to that 70's heat wave
In that summer time 
He spent here in Australia!

Empire of the Sun: The Solar System

Mercury

Closest to the sun, fastest on the run

Mariner 10 flew by; first of 3 in 1974.

Looking much like our moon

Meteorites have scarred your face

Craters have caused concentric rings

Of mountains all around, your core has contracted

Your face is old and puckered, creased into ridges

You are too small for atmosphere

No protective air to be seen here

You are scorched by day (350 deg C +)

Frozen by night (-170 deg C)

Venus

Your beauty is beguiling in our skies

Yet your surface is desolation

A wasteland of rocks roasted

In the highest of temperatures

Soviet Veneras; 4, 5 and 6

Were crushed by your intense atmosphere

(90 times that of Earth)

Mariner 10 flew by on its way to Mercury

U.S. Pioneer Venus; orbiting since 1978

Has told of your ways:

Atmosphere of mostly carbon dioxide

Traps more heat than it radiates (+475 deg C)

Creating your pressure cooker conditions as

Volcanic eruptions belch sulphur dioxide into your skies

Mars

Superficially similar to Earth

Might there be life on Mars?

You day’s length and axis’ tilt

Are almost identical to ours,

Even ice caps at your poles

Your rust red soil

And salmon pink skies (-23 deg C)

Indicate the absence of life.

Limited frozen water supplies

Little or no oxygen

And no ozone layer to protect you

From the Sun’s ultraviolet radiation

Jupiter

O mighty Jupiter you of us all

Almost became a star!

Your mass has attracted 16 satellites

The four largest being Io; Ganymede

Europa and Callisto

A vast bulk of gases wreathes you

In a kaleidoscope of swirling clouds

Voyagers 1 & 2 have shown us much:

Your great red spot

A cloud system 3 times the size of Earth

Underneath this colourful sky

Hydrogen and helium are so compressed

By your force of gravity

That they behave like liquid metals

In the ocean surrounding your rocky core

Your frozen icy temperatures

(-123 deg C) at the cloud tops