They stand
A splash of ice
A ring of flames
A crash of thunder
A chain of glowing steel

But they are naïve
inexperienced next to their comrades
they know nothing of the pain
the horrors their friends have endured
they never let on
they appear tranquil
but the moon watches them
the stars twinkle in response
they know

roaring wind
raging sea
eternal time
deadly destruction

It is silent
not to be seen or heard, or even known of
I feel it
the night conceals me
I never let on
I laugh and live my life
as do they

And they know their duty
they stand, a row of soldiers
in their hearts a dull roar
their souls are strong
but their minds know only this

It is not a question of if
but when
everything will slip into oblivion
and the planets of

Mercury,
Mars,
Jupiter,
Venus,
Uranus,
Neptune,
Pluto, and
Saturn

will be at peace with the Earth
the Universe will be balanced
the Moon will smile down
and Serenity will reign.