A Trip to Mars 

By

Ralph Falstad

A boy he was and a dreamer,

            Who had gazed at the shining stars;

He dreamed that he owned an airship

            And was taking a trip to Mars.

The airship was ready and waiting,

            The people were gathered in crowds;

Each shedding tears and giving advice

            To be sure to avoid the clouds.

The engine was cranked and started,

            The monster began to take speed;

Ere having time to gather his thoughts

            He had made up the cloud's big lead.

He sailed up higher and higher,

            Ever trying to get site of Mars;

When bang! he struck a thunder cap

            That rattled all the neighboring stars.

He felt himself fall from the airship,

            And whisk through the thin, clear air;

Ah!  he noticed a planet 'neath him

            There must be a landing place there. 

He struck in the Pool of Pilary,

            The perfumed bath of the King;

And as the sweet scent filled his nostrils,

            It gave him the desire to sing.

The dwarfish guards, who watched the pool,

            Heard this happy voice from the deep;

They captured and they carried him

            To where the King last fell asleep.

The King smacked his lips in enjoyment,

            "We'll have him for soup a la mode!"

They carried him to the stewing pot

            On a lonely and dismal road.

The dreamer then burst into tears,

            He cried, "Oh, please bring me back." 

The sky began to ruble loud,

            Then the earth began to crack.

Mother Earth kept swinging sidewise,

            'Til she tipped with an awful roar;

The rocker slipped 'neath the dreamer

            Who tumbled headlong on the floor.

His eyes rolled 'round in wonderment,

            As he came out of his dream.

"I think I'll not get an air ship

            They're not as nice as they seem." 

-- 1917, Eau Claire, Wisconsin