Inspiration Beamed from Mars

By Douglas J. Lanzo

Dedicated to those at NASA who introduced
the world to the most beloved rover of all time

Opportunity Rover —
engineered for Mars — 
redefined our red neighbor
on our path to the stars.

With its twin rover Spirit
tested by its side,
NASA captured the window
for its magical ride:
Thrust by powerful rockets — 
six months through deep space —
it endured solar plasma,
continuing to race…
until, with intense fire,
it hit atmosphere,
slowing with reverse thrusters,
earth in its rear mirror.

Finding evidence of seas
in craters carved deep
below the desert surface
ringed by rims rough and steep,
it found evidence that life
may have lived on Mars
in deep seas, vast and salty,
reminiscent of ours.

Estimated to survive
90 Martian sols,
it endured for 14 years
despite the desert’s toll,
braving hellacious windstorms
that rose planet-wide,
shutting down, while fearsome winds,
cleaned solar-panel sides.  
Withstanding Martian winters
two earth-winters long,
with temperatures plummeting 
two hundred degrees strong,
Oppy found hibernation
could work for its parts
defying some predictions
it would freeze and not start.

Inspiring generations
of kids to realize
they, too, can defy the odds,
discovering treasures prized,
that ancient Martian waters
from craters did rise,
perhaps birthing marine life — 
Earth’s sister in its ties.

Doug is an award-winning author whose Newbery-nominated, debut novel, The Year of the Bear, won the 2023 Ames Award for Best Young Adult Books and whose second book, I Have Lived, was named Best Novella of 2024 at the American Book Fest Awards.  Doug’s poetry has been published in 83 literary journals and anthologies and two books in the U.S., Canada, Caribbean, England, Wales, Austria, Mauritius, India, Japan and Australia.  He and his award-winning haiku poet twin sons enjoy nature, fishing, tennis, snorkeling and hiking.  His Author’s website is at www.douglaslanzo.com.