My heart lightened gloriously

As the rising sun struck the world to fire

The shadow had at last been rolled back

And I fell away with emotion close to tears

Yes, the torment was ended

The people scattered over the country

Desperate, leaderless, starved ...

The thousands who had fled by sea

Including the one most dear to me - all would return

The pulse of life, growing stronger and stronger, would beat again

As life returns to normal

And man is again supreme

The question of another attack from Mars

Causes universal concern Is our planet safe

Or is this time of peace merely a reprieve?

It may be that, across the immensity of space

They have learned their lessons

And even now await the opportunity

Perhaps the future belongs not to us

But to the Martians?