Flight of the Challenger
Poem commemorating the 30th anniversary of the Challenger Disaster
Children gather ‘round,
it’s a very special day,
seven heroes are ready
for their voyage into space.
This is a moment
for the rest of your lives,
you’ll want to tell your grandchildren
you bore witness to its climb.
Pay attention to the screen now,
the countdown has begun,
you can see the rocket smoke
as the thrusters start to hum.
Isn’t this exciting,
have you seen a sky so blue?
These are the kind of dreams
that also live in you.
Remember, you can be anything,
you can even touch the stars.
These astronauts are examples:
the success of working hard.
The classroom grows quiet,
scents of spring and chalk dust.
The final three, two, one,
and ignition, boosters thrust.
All eyes fix on that color TV,
breath held like wish before flame,
as the heroes arc toward heaven,
unaware mere seconds remain.
