On this day in nineteen eighty-six

Seven lives were lost in a tick ...

For the rocket they were astride

Had a disastrously ill-fated ride



As seventy-three seconds into flight

The Challenger became quite a sight

For it blew apart into so many pieces ...

Ending the lives of six men and a teacher



... The first civilian chosen to go into space

A lovely lady who had a great deal of grace

Who had taught grade-school in the northeast

Before being asked to share in a special feast



For that it was ... and has been ever since

A prestigious honor quite fit for a prince ...

And even though that day ended in tragedy

Many, many more have since been rhapsody



- Tristram



© Christopher W. Thomas

6:44am Thurs. Jan. 28th, 1999



In honor of Krista McAuliffe