Mingling Planets 2003

A not-so-distant relative is getting closer still.
Within sight and shouting range
he brushes by to swell.
It has been sixty thousand years since the last encounter.
Now in miles he is half as far
from his bigger sister.
Earth and Mars are sibling rivals with major things to share.
Each can sustain some forms of life
with water and good air.
Many eons these two planets, along with family,
have played the game "ring-round-the-sun"
in orbit destiny.
Could it be as Earthlings observe the Martians also watch?
Interplanetary mingling
might produce offspring top-notch.
Their journeys take them far away but they remain in view.
Occasionally they come near
their kinship to renew.