Like A Butterfly

poem was inspired by astronaut Story Musgrave. And of course the Columbia tragedy. Credit for the first two lines of the poem goes to him. Seven years ago next month and it still brings tears to read it.

Like A Butterfly (Columbia)

like a beautiful butterfly bolted to a bullet

beautiful and fragile but not afraid to fly

up toward Heaven through the vast beautiful sky

she breaks free and flies on her own

gliding around earth like few have ever known

the butterfly is silent as she spreads her wings

but the Heaven echoes as the Angels sings

seven brave astronauts on the journey of their life

brothers and sisters, fathers, mother, husband and a wife

each one living their own dream

but together they are one team

each one has looked to earth from high above

and thought about the ones they love

and looked up at the stars and beyond

looked back to what we have and what's yet to be done

seven astronauts unaware of the Angels on their wing

they don't hear the sad song, they now sing

they know the danger of travel in space

but not the grim task, the seven Angels face

a beautiful butterfly bolted to a bullet

beautiful and fragile but not afraid to fly

up toward Heaven through a vast beautiful sky

seven new Angels take flight

seven new stars, adorn the Heavens tonight

huey (hippiepoet69) copyright 2-4-03

I dedicate this to all that have made one of mankind greatest dreams come true, space travel. Especially those who have given their lives for not only their dream but ours.To all astronauts, cosmonauts and all those who support them. God be with you. huey