PAYLOAD SPECIALIST

for Christa McAuliffe

McAulliffe, lone civilian on doomed flight,

who staked her life on those whom she believed

would bring her fame that she could use to teach

when she returned to Earth, shall be long grieved.

For something sadly simple as a seal

the engines catastrophically failed.

Let’s not point fault, but rather try to heal,

grateful Christa’s memory has prevailed.

She set out starry-eyed into the stars

to bring back spirit that would inspire

her students to be Generation Mars

and strive for that to which they most aspire.

She’d reach, by brave example, so they’d learn.

And she’s done that, though she did not return.