I am Feared I am respected I am both anticipated And unexpected Often silent Often stealthy Touching the poor Touching the wealthy You cannot hide You cannot run Been on my way Since you begun

Built with rivets and bravado bright, Chrome-kissed dreams of the Atomic Age night. Gauges wink green, red buttons gleam, Tomorrow imagined in yesterday’s scheme. A countdown echoes from mission control, Tin hero aimed for the great unknown. With fire for feet, I leap from the pad, A future promised in magazines ads.

I can be cast but I am not plaster. Compared to my cousin, I melt faster. I'm my mother and father forged into one. I heralded an age, but by my cousin undone.

I hold up a flower and support a flute. Marie Curie and Ada Lovelace paved the way for girls -in- me as an acronym.

America had four main types... until one cost them so much money to mint that they quit. What am I?