The Seven Astronauts

a poem by Jayati

Her name was imagination
NASA space shuttle mission;
Columbia astronauts, Seven,
Kalpana, Clark, William, Brown
Commander Rick and Michael, Ramon
Eighty uninterrupted scientific experiments,
Bone disease, osteoporosis and kidney stones,
To enhance quality of life, human;
Launched, 2003 January, sweet sixteen
Mission, STS – 107.
It’s twenty-eighth trip,
Forever remain
Midst’s Stars and Planets
Across Heaven; In True Spirits;
Letting its body fall to sanctify the soil
Around Arkansas, Louisiana, Texas
Strewn across a wide radius,
Here on earth our silent tears,
Hopes against hopes
The Shining Seven Stars!