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Who or what is this poem referring to?

I'm always on a plane
Won't fit on a boat or train

Unlike most of my brethren
I travel with no companions

Simultaneously cold and hot
I can be a dark or light spot

To some I may be unrecognizable
At times I'm not even visible

From my routine I never deviate
But sometimes I'm seen doing the opposite

I've suffered battering and bruising
Since I've no protective layering

Subjected to a stiff breeze
No one near me can breathe
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    $\begingroup$ That's why it's not a jet engine. :) $\endgroup$
    – pacoverflow
    Commented Apr 27, 2015 at 17:29
  • $\begingroup$ Arg, the contradictions in this poem! $\endgroup$
    – Mark N
    Commented Apr 27, 2015 at 19:34
  • $\begingroup$ @IanMacDonald You have good intentions, but the poem seems a little too personal to edit, given how much time I put into it. Hope you understand. $\endgroup$
    – pacoverflow
    Commented Apr 27, 2015 at 19:56
  • $\begingroup$ @pacoverflow No problem. Carry on! $\endgroup$
    – Ian MacDonald
    Commented Apr 27, 2015 at 20:01

1 Answer 1

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Is it

Mercury (the planet)?

I'm always on a plane Won't fit on a boat or train

Each planet has an orbital plane

Unlike most of my brethren I travel with no companions

Has no moon

Simultaneously cold and hot I can be a dark or light spot

Cold and dark on the far side, hot on the sun side. Dark if in front of the Sun and light if not

To some I may be unrecognizable At times I'm not even visible

Often mistake for a star. Not always visible.

From my routine I never deviate But sometimes I'm seen doing the opposite

Always orbiting the Sun, but planets appear in retrograde sometimes

I've suffered battering and bruising Since I've no protective layering

No atmosphere. Gets hit by stuff

Subjected to a stiff breeze No one near me can breathe

Mercury's magnetic field is weak enough to not protect from solar wind. No atmosphere to breathe

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  • $\begingroup$ Yes but see if you can get the "plane", "dark or light spot", and "breeze" clues. $\endgroup$
    – pacoverflow
    Commented Apr 27, 2015 at 15:42
  • $\begingroup$ @pacoverflow I took another shot at those clues. $\endgroup$
    – Ric
    Commented Apr 27, 2015 at 15:55
  • $\begingroup$ There is a more elegant answer for the "plane" clue. $\endgroup$
    – pacoverflow
    Commented Apr 27, 2015 at 17:20
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    $\begingroup$ Its orbital plane doesn't change. $\endgroup$
    – Ian MacDonald
    Commented Apr 27, 2015 at 17:47
  • $\begingroup$ For the "plane" reference, see en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ecliptic $\endgroup$
    – A.D.
    Commented Apr 27, 2015 at 18:04

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