One hour overdue, hope begins to fail.

We watch, but cannot comprehend.

Since Challenger, we’ve learned to forget

And take it all for granted.

A few days ago, a friend saw them go overhead.

A bright star, lit by the night sun.

She talked of nothing else all day,

And never knew it was a swan song.

I wasn’t there. At the time I didn’t really think

So much about it. It would come by

Again and again as it orbits.

I’ve got time. Haven’t I?

No more. Columbia will not fly again.

The mission halted 16 minutes early

Leaving us to wonder why

The crew is forever overdue.

I was woken to bear helpless witness.

On the unreal screen.

I finally saw the shuttle fly by

Not as one, but seven bright stars.

Tears fall too as Mir’s final glory

Is a play reenacted for me.

A new daytime constellation

I never hoped to see.

Apollo 1, Challenger, Columbia

The chain now seems to flow

We pay tribute to the heroes

Helpless to do any more.