Mars rises

On the eighth

day the light

begins to fade.

The march

to newer gods

is beaten

to the gong

of thunder,

whirlwinds

and plague.

Profligate bounty

is spent

leaf by leaf

and tree by tree

till the bank

is empty.

Resources

dissipate like

rain on a

hot grate

as the planet

fumes and curses

at poor

stewardship.

And all the time

the anger

of the elements

plays counterpoint

to the sighs

of the hungry.

Mars rises

again in rage

and strikes

the anvil to awake

the forces

that slumber.

But sand veils the eye,

greed consumes,

and wisdom weeps,

while nuclear

fires smoulder

and never sleep.