Mercury

 

Walk out across a vast abyss

to airs from marching bands;

set your face against the smiling thieves,

take your future in your hands.

 

Stride fit and strong in eager step,

thick glass beneath your feet

that shows the fate of reprobates

when Mercury was fleet.

 

On tiny wings of quicksilver

this speedy spirit played

across the skies to clear a path

for travellers in their trade.

 

Shrewd deceiver of cunning pranks,

Mercurius the Brave

waved his wand and all was peace

when he'd rather misbehave.

 

So behold the flashing Mercury,

the merchant's eternal friend

speeding across the universe,

ancient stories without end.

 

Chris Hubbard, 2020