Poem: "The Rainbow Gate"
This poem was inspired by prompts from minor_architect, siege, aldersprig, and janetmiles. In particular, check out the picture prompt that minor_architect offered. The poem was sponsored by minor_architect. It is slipstream that merges science fiction and fantasy for the purpose of diddling with some very famous tropes. The deus ex machina is a nod to Greek tradition.
The Rainbow Gate
The door irised open.
What lay beyond it was not
the spaceship's launch bay with its viewport showing the colorful starbow
but rather a sunny glade bordered by impossible pastel flowers.
Carried by momentum, the space marines stumbled through,
their boots skidding on rain-wet grass as they turned around.
The pointed wooden petals of the enchanted mirror irised closed,
a glimpse of the spaceship vanishing with cool finality.
In the glade, the unicorns whinnied and shied away
from the bewildered space marines
who slowly lowered their guns and doffed their helmets
to stare at the arching rainbows, lavender roses, and luminous mushrooms.
The virgin hid her golden bridle in her white dress and slunk away,
hoping to find the hunters and escape before the strange knights gave chase.
In the launch bay, a troop of faeries eyed the invading aliens
then grimly drew their swords and gripped their magic wands
as they prepared for battle.
High in her perfumed heaven, the goddess Iris
stirred the spectral ripples in her scrying bowl
and laughed.