Poetry About Space?

[Mephisto]

Earlier today, in an online conversation about whether the exploration of Mars was a worthwhile endeavor, I wanted to say something about the powerful, age-old allure of the planets and stars. A reference to a poem (or other beautiful, moving piece of writing) would have been great to throw out there at that point. I searched my memory banks, but the best I could come up with was a couple modern rock songs. Well, there's nothing wrong with rock-n-roll, but what I was really looking for something a little more classical. Pretentious, even. :) Maybe something by one of the Romantics. Or Shakespeare. Or even some musing about the mystery of the nighttime sky from the ancient world. I know I've read such stuff in the past, but I sure can't come up with anything today.

Also, a related question: is there any good modern poetry about space, space exploration, rockets, planets, stars, and the like? I know if anybody can help me with this quest, it's you.

Thanks in advance! Have a great day!

[Red Matrix]

I don't have a good modern poem about space, but I have a short modern poem about 2 bodies in space.

WARNING: Borders Erotica (but no explicitives)
The Comet and the Sun (http://www.authorsden.com/visit/viewpoetry.asp?AuthorID=12571&id=48382) Part I
It has 18 sentences.

[don't ask]

I wrote some a few years ago:

Space,
Like it's out there man.
Way, way out there.

[Mearl Dox]

The only thing that came immediately to mind was "When I Heard the Learned Astronomer" by Whitman, but I'm not sure that'd be exactly what you're looking for.

[Mephisto]

Although I had hoped for more responses, I appreciate the ones I got. Thanks, guys! This will be my one and only bump of this thread. If anybody has any more suggestions, I thank you in advance. Have a great day!

[aaslatten]

I was thinking of Whitman as well. Also I believe John Milton's Paradise Lost had quite a few digressions on the planets and stars.

[Darth Nader]

"Clouds appear
and bring to men a chance to rest
from looking at the moon."

~Matsuo Basho (1644-1694)

[HDS]

Twinkle, twinkle, little star....:D

[HDS]

Just kidding. Here is a link to a page with quotes and poems about space and night.

she walks in beauty (http://www.quotegarden.com/night.html)

[Weird_AL_Einstein]

No mention of Heinlein's "Green Hills of Earth"? Tho of course, that's ultimately really about Earth, but still...

[Humble Servant]

This is the one that I thought of straight off--by a fighter pilot, not an astronaut, but about the beauty of space.Oh, I have slipped the surly bonds of earth
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;. . . . (http://www.geocities.com/everwild7/highflight.html)

[RealityChuck]

You can pick up any issue of Star*Line, the magazine of the Science Fiction Poetry Association (http://www.sfpoetry.com/) and find poems about space and space travel.

If you want a list of great SF poetry, check out their Rhysling Award Winners (http://www.sfpoetry.com/rhyswin.html). I understand they are working on an anniversary anthology that would include all the winners.

[Sam Stone]

I'm going to post "The Green Hills of Earth", because it wasn't published as a poem, but as part of a book, so I think it falls under 'fair use'. If not, mods please nuke this.

We pray for one last landing
On the globe that gave us birth,
Let us rest our eyes on fleecy skies,
And the cool green hills of Earth!

The arching sky is calling
Spacemen back to their trade.
All hands! Stand by! Free falling!
And the lights below us fade.

Out ride the sons of Terra,
Far drives the thundering jet,
Up leaps the race of Earthmen,
Out, far, and onward yet-

We've tried each spinning space mote
And reckoned its true worth:
Take us back again to the homes of men
On the cool, green hills of Earth.

- Robert Heinlein

[Fiver]

I'm not sure this is what you're looking for, but Genesis (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0933071248/qid=1073362007/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/103-1612379-6862211?v=glance&s=books) is an epic poem about the colonization of Mars.