In what ways did we celebrate
The adventurous leap of our space heros
And heroines into another dimension.
Their giant step into eternity?
We who watched and watched and watched again
The cataclysmic moment of their going,
Invested with our childhood dreams
Died along with them, and derring-do,
That last desperate expedition,
Rehearsed our own inevitable end:
Dust to stardust metamorphosis.
Later we climbed in winter sunlight,
Leaving bootmarks on the dust of snow
Clambered over windsnapped oaks,
Strolled in shadowy hemlock hallways
Along black waters chanting, churning
In and out of gleaming ice,
Gazing finally toward the ocean
Toward those ashes drifting, spiraling
Into space and out of sight.
At home we heard a Mozart requiem:
Energetic strings, pulsing brass:
A tribute played to aspirations
Of seven spirited star sailors.
In these ways have we mourned them
And we still do grieve for them:
Their happy camaradarie:
Enthusiasts elected for excellence
With vibrant eyes and winning smiles.