Stars Die

This poem was written on the day of the launch of the rover Curiosity. Link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mars_Science_Laboratory.

Rising on a

Pillar of white smoke,
And the collective intellectual efforts of
A thousand individuals, and the hopes
Of the entire human race,
Curiosity rises.

Rents apart the placid blue sky.

Onwards to the heavens.
Onwards to conquer new worlds.
Man and machine, together in pursuit
Of knowledge.

Armed with that most fundamental of
All human urges:
The need to know.

“The heavens have become a part
Of our world,
And it inspires us
To bring peace and tranquility
To earth.”

Unfettered by politics and
Concerns of diplomacy,
Curiosity rises.

…

We must know, we will know.