Downward Descent
It was time to go home.
Say you an about face?
Forty-nine days this crew
was up in outer space.
They'd orbited the earth
near sixteen times a day,
two hundred seventeen
miles above earth's highways.
Now the bay doors are closed
and extra fuel's been burned.
Back into the capsule,
again its keep to earn.
All was in order there
like it was when it went.
Up and up it had climbed
then slept until descent.
Closed the hatch slid the bolt
systems checked status go.
Pushed off a bit, it's loose.
Cool now, soon it will glow.
Down from heaven they went.
Trail of fire as they fell,
sped down so far so fast.
Will they descend to hell?
Should they miss target mark.
Down, followed by the fire.
Be right, no turning back,
or find Lucifer's ire.
Copyright © 2009 Jimmiehov
All Rights Reserved
It was time to go home.
Say you an about face?
Forty-nine days this crew
was up in outer space.
They'd orbited the earth
near sixteen times a day,
two hundred seventeen
miles above earth's highways.
Now the bay doors are closed
and extra fuel's been burned.
Back into the capsule,
again its keep to earn.
All was in order there
like it was when it went.
Up and up it had climbed
then slept until descent.
Closed the hatch slid the bolt
systems checked status go.
Pushed off a bit, it's loose.
Cool now, soon it will glow.
Down from heaven they went.
Trail of fire as they fell,
sped down so far so fast.
Will they descend to hell?
Should they miss target mark.
Down, followed by the fire.
Be right, no turning back,
or find Lucifer's ire.
Copyright © 2009 Jimmiehov
All Rights Reserved
.
When we go against the norm, this is what we face, I think.
ReplyDeleteholding on my breath
Of all the moments in space, reentry is the most dangerous. You hit the nail on the head with this poem!
ReplyDeleteReentry is always a problem - and they live with this thought every second in space.
ReplyDeleteOur Dr Jim can compose poems very clearly. Well done! =)
ReplyDeletenicely said:)..
ReplyDeleteVery nicely written! I really enjoyed this poem; it had layers of meaning.
ReplyDeleteNice rythmn and theme Jim. I have always liked astronomy and space realated topics. I enjoyed your interpretation.
ReplyDeleteI could see the bay doors close for the return and i prayed that they land safe....remembered Kalpana Chawla.
ReplyDeletejust so beautiful Jim :)
ReplyDeleteyour imagination goes beyond....thanks...!
ReplyDeleteoh God that made me think of the tragedy just few years back...
ReplyDeleteyour poem fires the imagination -- thinking of the rockets burning bright against the blackness of space.
ReplyDeleteJim,
ReplyDeleteI do think descending and ascending are the most dangerous times in space travel.
Hope they did not miss the target and landed safely. Well written, and I enjoyed this.
ReplyDeleteMy ascent on the balloon wasn't that high fortunately so the descent was comparitively safer. Cheers!
there is something in the human spirit that ascends and descends no matter what the consequence. love what came to you for this prompt.
ReplyDeleteSpirithelpers
love this twist on "descent"...i live in a house full of science geeks, one of whom suggested attending a shuttle launch last year. i admit holding my breath for a very long time with its launch.
ReplyDeleteI am going to keep my feet on the ground, because going up this high, it's dangerous coming down.
ReplyDeleteVery good poem Jim.
Excellent - I feel the threat and the preparation made.
ReplyDeleteA poem about the current form of space travel... how fantastic!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a brilliant poem and concept!
Vivid, real and slightly frightening interp of the prompt Jim. Well done!
ReplyDeletegreat take on this, Jim~
ReplyDeleteand what goes up...you know.
thanks!
Nicely done, Jim. Of course, it does bring to mind past disasters. And helps us remember who true heroes are.
ReplyDeletethat's a different take it. you started with a high view for sure.
ReplyDeleteBoy I sure know someone's who's headed in a quick descent downward, as we speak...Great poem!!!
ReplyDeleteHoly Cats, this was awesome... Jim, I am in awe. I loved every line and the imagery played so vividly in my mind...
ReplyDeleteI'm sure the OSI linky is all in order, Jim... I had put your other blog address into my Google Reader. It lets me know whenever there is a new post by someone on my list... Your's came up the other day, so I posted there! What I can do is switch the notification to this blog - that way I'll see your awesome writing more often. :)
Enjoy reading your post, I may not understand all the meanings behind the poem, I know not that much as others who live in USA. I like this poem, especially "Be right, no turning back"
ReplyDelete