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Open Poetry #37
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SHUTTLE CHALLENGER
| Open Poetry #37 |
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SHUTTLE CHALLENGER |
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Abe Senior Member
since 2003-05-28
Posts 694Looks like Vero Beach, FL until the end! 
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CHALLENGER PLUS TWENTY Twenty years we have been mourning Since we lost that Shuttle Crew As we watched in awe and horror With nothing we could say or do. One of those important times in life When you know just where you were And though time may ease the pain Those images will remain, for sure. Although it might have been prevented We all know, that’s not how it goes Decisions made by other people Or by where the money flows. Why do we always seem to wait Until someone usually has to die When we hear they could have fixed it But find, they didn’t even try? We all hoped those Astronauts Met their ending painlessly But now we know they were aware Of their plummet to the sea. They all knew they were at risk With great danger all around But they didn’t know on that day They were truly, Heaven-bound. Del “Abe” Jones 01-28-2006 DON'T CHALLENG'ER (Written after watching Her pass directly over my house in Orlando for first landing at the Cape on February 11th, 1984 Also saw Her launch, live.) Well, the giant silver bird Has passed another test - And this time She came back home She returned to Her nest. Four hundred miles per hour - More than three miles high - She sure was a pretty sight As She streaked across the sky. In the early morning light She made a "booming" sound - Her head held high, bold and proud As She dropped to the ground. She'd been in another world For one week and a day - High above the Earth and clouds Where people look to pray. Taken so much for granted In this here day and age - But in the books of history She wrote another page. Del “Abe” Jones Orlando, FL 02-15-1984 IN QUEST Challenging the earth’s heavens These seven pioneers Embarked to gain new knowledge To conquer new frontiers A new world lay before them The light of a new dawn A place of unknown dangers Where man has always gone To see beyond horizons To peer over the next hill Always a goal of mankind One, he must try to fulfill Some have come through unscathed And some were bound to die But none of them have failed For they had the will to try These gained immortality Though, on a tragic page In the book of history Of this newborn space age They offered and gave their all They paid the price supreme As mankind has always done In his quest of a dream. Del “Abe” Jones 01-30-1986 UNTITLED Challenger, I watched you As you first invaded space And you flew over me one morn To return to your home base. You went back out again Different people in control Though you were just a machine You'd helped man reach his goal. We will probably never know Why you said you were done - But why did you have to take The lives of those brave seven? You made yourself immortal With those you held inside To those who knew your "soul" To those below who cried. You did yourself so proud With your triumph over space But with your last attempt You caused so many a sad face. "Don't Challenge 'Er.", I said The first time around - But for these final words There's no title to be found. Del "Abe" Jones 01-26-1986 TWENTY FOUR AND COUNTING (Columbia) There’s seven more Heroes Added to that legacy Of space flight and travel From the Cape of Kennedy. An almost perfect Mission Of the scientific kind With a myriad of experiments Meant, to better humankind. Two Ladies and five Men Plus thousands on the ground Excited about their return As they were homeward bound. Only minutes left, to complete Another page of history Only to leave us, with questions Of yet, another tragedy. Sadly, we all forget About the dangers of each Flight We take it all for granted When, everything goes right. But, we’ll keep on going on For it’s in, the Nature of Man To not let the setbacks Change, the goal of the Plan. Through lives ended, prematurely By what, some Greater Power willed They left their mark upon this Earth With some dreams, they have fulfilled. Now, they’re with that growing Crew Who fly around in Heaven Another group, who we should call "The Magnificent Seven". 02-02-2003 Del "Abe" Jones Del "Abe" Jones |
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| © Copyright 2006 Del - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Enchantress Member Empyrean
since 2001-08-14
Posts 35113Canada eh. |
Abe, a most wonderful tribute to those who have lost their lives in the space program. They are truly our heros and will never be forgotten. Twenty years today since the Challenger.... Well done. Nancy In the midst of winter, |
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scorpio Member Ascendant
since 2002-10-02
Posts 5178right...there |
To dream makes us vulnerable. To dare puts us at risk. Those brave souls are in the loving presence of God. We cherish their spirit. Thank you Del for reminding us of their sacrifice. believe in what your heart feels... |
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miscellanea Member Elite
since 2004-06-24
Posts 4060OH |
Abe, A tremendous honoring of those challengers who expand our sphere of knowledge. You are right when you say people remember exactly where they were and what they were doing when the tragedy occurred. It hit me especially hard because I was lying in bed, holding my newborn while watching live television. The liftoff had occurred and the camera focused on the crowd. Excitement was in the air, and then, it focused on Christa's proud mother. Such pride in her smile; then its slow unfurling with a glimmer of question in her mother's eyes. On television, initially it was unclear if the bright fire was caused by separation or if there had been an accident, but a sense of doom filled the expression on the observers' faces. It was all very painful. I, a teacher, the same profession as Christa, had just brought forth a life. Simultaneously Christa's mother had just lost hers. It hit me hard. Your series of poems do honor to our pioneers and explorers. Excellent! I plan to keep these! miscellanea |
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miscellanea Member Elite
since 2004-06-24
Posts 4060OH |
Just read it to my husband. He told me to tell you how moving these poems are. He was just talking to some people this morning and they had been sharing where they were when the tradegy occurred. Some things will never be forgotten. You have done such justice in your writing. |
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