Columbia

Eclectic but united,
They burst from gravity.
Their courage never wavered,
Performing admirably.

They came from different backgrounds.
From different cultures too.
They melded into quite a team,
A tightly woven crew.

Their mission they performed with grace,
With focused dedication.
They flew Columbia with skill,
Brave heroes of two nations.

So maybe our last glimpse of them
Is fitting in a way,
A glowing vivid shooting star
That heralded our day.

Together they soared into space.
Together did they perish.
A part of them will always be
Here in our hearts to cherish.

We do not mourn for warriors
Who climb above the clouds.
We do not hang our heads and weep,
Or place or hearts in shrouds.

We honor them with faces
We turn skyward with rapport.
They've slipped the bonds of earth again,
And entered heaven’s door.

B. V. Dahlen

2003