klr@hadron.UUCP (02/04/86)
References:
We went to see the Astronauts Memorial at the National Air and Space
Museum (NASM) in Washington DC on SUnday. The attached poem had been
left there that morning. There were also numerous flowers and a St.
Christopher medal that someone had left. I spoke with the NASM
information office, and she says that items like these are being left
there daily. They collect them each night, and more appear the next
morning.
THE EIGHTH SEAT
Making your way among Golden Adventures
You sought out the trail that would bring you fulfillment -
Sought out the trail that would lead to your dreams -
Dreams you made real as they challenged your spirit.
Willow-winding paths chosen ever so carefully
So much left to fate (will it deal with us kindly?)
Star-Chasers all, you have captured our vision -
Took us along as you crept ever higher
To seek out the trail that would lead to your dreams -
Though we stayed behind, all our souls rode with you,
You faced the danger as we watched below,
Oh, how could we know?
Cautiously Onward you trekked ever deeper
Into the recesses of life's Golden Caverns
Ever revealing the farther you travelled
The warmer the glimmer of life's Golden Secrets -
Life's Golden Secrets not many can see,
You shared them with me.
Godspeed, Precious Seven, we long to reach upward
To bring you back home and hold you to breast.
You've tempered our judgement with terrible wisdom -
Wisdom we'll use as we finish your quest.
Star-Chasers all, as I search the night sky,
I know you'll never die.
Richard Bell
Arlington, Virginia