Monday 16 May 2011

Markings Upon The Flank of a Spaceship

Engineers made me
To betray my pilot
On my first fight.

To gather iron
From in close the sun
I am sent.

The iron I gather
Comes to the Ulanovs
Out of deep gravity

Like a coal-coloured fish
Leaping -- to descend
Into deep gravity.

It is not used
For goods or gear,
But for The Law.

The iron I gather
Rulers covet
For cruel uses.

I am shaped as a sword
Sharp with whitefire
Cooled in vacuum.

The iron I gather
Is drawn up
Out of deep gravity.

Like a coal-coloured Fish
Leaping, to descend
Into deep gravity.

It is not given
For goods or gear,
But for The Law.

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