How to Tease Jupiter

Pretend you only dropped by
for a chat with Callisto.

Gossip about her sister moons
until Jupiter interrupts.

If he asks how he's looking,
keep staring at his red spot.

Tell him to tighten his belts,
that his equator is bulging.

Then ignore his indignation,
his inordinate tempests.

Remark that manners, not mass,
are the measure of a planet.

Before you leave, make amends.
We only tease those we love.

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Mary Soon Lee was born and raised in London, but has lived in Pittsburgh for thirty years. She is a Grand Master of the Science Fiction & Fantasy Poetry Association, and three-time winner of both the AnLab Readers' Award and the Rhysling Award. Her latest poetry book, "How to Navigate Our Universe," answers vexing questions such as "How to Surprise Saturn" and "How to Survive a Black Hole." She hides her online presence with a cryptically named website (marysoonlee.com and an equally cryptic Twitter account (@MarySoonLee).