The Hopeless Romance      (a Sci-Fi Poetry Competition Submission)

The Hopeless Romance  
   
Sailing across the pink-hued heavens,  
A red Rosette Nebula around our ship.  
Ten Forward's nearly empty again,  
we stroll across the room to where we usually sit.  
   
Looking through the vast, expanse outside,  
the window ledge our only parapet.  
A spectacular view of the starry sky  
while you're swirling your Samarian Sunset.  
You look out into the haze and start to theorize  
About the strange distress call we received,  
but I'm distracted by your stormy, grey-blue eyes  
while I slowly sip my cup of Earl Grey Tea.  
   
I mean to listen to what you say,  
but I gaze at you distractedly.  
I can't help but love the way  
your red curls fall voluptuously  
and frame the soft skin on your slender neck;  
your beauty pushes all other thoughts away,  
but my attention comes crashing back  
when I hear your sudden dismay.  
Fumbling, I try “Oh, yes, quite right, quite right.”  
That seemed to work, your smile beams.  
Your voice softens, “As for the rest of tonight...”  
You're implying a longer date, it seems...  
I want to ask you to come to my quarters  
but I can't bring myself to say the words,  
so, instead, I simply offer  
“I really should get back to work.”  
Stormy eyes turn into pools of blue  
and I want to touch you tenderly,  
but several officers walk into the room,  
So I stand, bid you 'adieu,' and leave.