Ad Astra, Per Aspera

Off the SPQR Aquila they leapt

For Romankind, this was a huge step.

Two Brothers on Mars, what could go wrong?

For the city they’d found would surely be strong.

Remus the optimist, was always wide-eyed,

While Romulus his brother cared more for fratricide.

For a time the peace held still

As the brothers roamed the virgin Martian hills.

Their purpose was a city for a new tribe;

Romulus, in his head, had his brother’s name proscribed.

This new red planet promised to be bountiful

So Romulus built a citadel which he thought insurmountable.

But Remus, who laughed, fancied himself a black sheep;

So over the citadel he went with a leap.

But Romulus did not find it so funny

But he knew that Remus’s blood would soon be runny.

Romulus approached Remus, feigning a laugh,

As he drew a dagger from behind his calf.

The poor brother said, “Let’s name this place Reme.”

The other said, “Let’s put this knife in your spleen.”

“Woe, but that is violence indeed!”

Romulus his brother did make bleed.

I’ve told you enough, children, now let’s get some ice cream;

For now you know why it is called Rome and not Reme!