Dark charcoal smoke; stoked in a slow
deliberate time to keep the boil
deep inside this steampunk heart

Oiled and polished
Coils and springs,
Clasps, brass tacks
and everything

Stars unspoiled
Keep their gaze set
Upon these toils
Without leaving yet

But measured and met
can our present hope remain whole
Will we still remain loyal
When the brave new meets the old?

Once in wonder we beheld our sky
Like children we held hope in our eyes
We built our dreams with cans and string
And powered them with water and steam

Rise up hot spring and touch each cloud
Carry tomorrow past these smoky shrouds
But when our shining future's sails are unfurled
Will we lose our romantic steampunk world?