Astronauts were packing it in.

​​​​​Wrapping up a long mission

when the ships sensors had a vision.
Beyond the hill of ice.
On a planet deemed to have no life.
A sign of life before them
beyond the hill were penguins.
Sliding down the peak
with Popsicles in their beaks.
A bundle over polar bears
sat watching in folding chairs
on the planet of Coldairus.

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charred scents linger
within the astronaut's mind
suits, boots, glove fingers
leave scent memories behind
reek of burnt toast and sulfur
a vacuum occupied by scientists and engineers
what Earthly scents trigger
the olfactory bulbs of space pioneers
acid burns, fireworks, the scent of torched meat
the bakery that burns a rack of bagels
on the putrid corner of smelly Smogstone Street
the ...

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