28 JANUARY 1986
At just this place on just this date
A quarter century past
Occurred that horrid blast
I saw and now commemorate.
A crew of astronauts arose
To challenge gravity
And taste infinity
And see what freedom might disclose.
Beyond the confines of our womb
These doughty few would fly
Though little thought they’d die
And end in such a spacious tomb.
Now here I stand remembering
That scraggle on the blue
We pointed at and knew
What bold ambitions sometimes bring.
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