Challenger shuttle disaster (Terzanelle)

The launching deck is now a memory cast in stone
and when the space vehicle launches, suddenly
to travel far and from the platform, is gone

people cheer, while a omen encompass me
in the distance it shimmers
and when the space vehicle launches, suddenly

with flames exploding it glimmers
raining down in pieces and smoke
in the distance it shimmers

and anguish suddenly makes me choke
when man stays locked to destiny, bound in time and space
raining down in pieces and smoke

apocalypse unfolding during that sheer climb, against earth’s face
seventy three seconds and then catastrophe
when man stays locked to destiny, bound in time and space

is caught forever vividly in memory like a universal apostrophe:
The launching deck is now a memory cast in stone,
seventy three seconds and then catastrophe,
to travel far and from the platform is gone.

poem by Gert Strydom
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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