American Phoenix

Twenty-five years ago today--January28, 1986--the nation suffered another in a long list of tragedies when the Space Shuttle Challenger exploded 73 seconds after liftoff.  This event was especially tragic in that school children around the nation were anxiously watching New Hampshire teacher Christa McAullife become the first "Teacher in Space."  She and her six crew members never made it.  The following, written that afternoon, is my tribute to them and the spirit of the nation.

"American Phoenix"

We stood and watched our brave young eagles dare
to see how high, how fast, how far they might
wing outward to the limits of the air
and then beyond, into the starry night.

With courage and with joy each one flew on,
a challenger of the unknown and all
of those who fear and cry that we have gone
too far and now, with wings aflame, must fall.

And with the triumphs that we all would share
will come the ashes of the times we fail.
But to succeed then we must greatly dare,
for in new victories our lossses pale.

This eagle, like the phoenix, folds its wings,
then from the fires bursts forth and soars and sings.