Rings and two moons of Saturn (photo from NASA)

by Maya del Mar Who would want to write a poem about me? Says Saturn. I am work, responsibility, Discipline, reality, Time, and death. I am the Great Teacher who makes you toe the mark. I am your Destiny on Earth. And there is no escape. I toppled Uranus, That dreamer, Because he wouldn’t deal with me. I am the Law. Yes, Saturn, I do know What a strict taskmaster You are. But now, After all the years of Your challenges And reprimands, And shaping me up, And putting me in line, And dealing with My rebellious tears, I’ve learned the secret That tough you does not advertise: You reward your Faithful pupils Very well indeed. That reward is inner authority, The knowledge that one can master And has mastered The challenges of now, The nitty-gritty Of this high-gravity life. That reward is inner peace, Knowing that we do our best, And that is the best we can do. And that best gets better Through real time. That reward is the ability To surrender to The here and now. To know that all our power Is in this moment, And all that we can really do Is to be with it, Whether it be difficult Or easy. And finally, Saturn, I know that your best reward Is that feeling of a job Well done, The hard-won satisfaction Of fulfilling Assignment: Earth. And perhaps, Saturn, You are my friend because I love this Earth so much, And so do you. I do, indeed, thank you, Great Teacher, For the hard work we have done Together, And will do Until death do us part. —Maya