Final Shuttle ( The Times part 10 )
With the clamour of thunder claps sounding
flocks of seagulls are sent soaring
the last shuttle bathed in colors bright
awesome orange, black and white
rises slowly amid plumes of vapors gray
energy is heard and felt miles away
white-gold fire ascending fast
sunlit air and blue skies in vision grasped
with flames behind scattered clouds hid
seen as through the darkness of closed eyelids
the final flight streaks heavenward
on a pillar of flames hurled
Atlantis, Atlantis quickly you elude
the surly bond that earth rules
on sturdy wings fly you
becoming a speck in skies of blue
'Twas Enterprise that first tested the winds
defied gravity on graceful wings
was carried aloft on mother ship
to glide and through air slip
chariots of fire there were five
two were shattered losing all lives
our Nation bewailed the tragedy
of Challenger and Columbias' flaming destiny
'Twas with determination and heavy hearts
followed by testing of shuttle parts
that Atlantis, Endeavor and Discovery
boldly rose from pad for all to see
and fearlessly resumed exploration
of space for our grateful Nation
