Requiem
some say that you
and
the Challenger crew
came to a tragic end
but
when i recount the story
of
your star-crossed flight
when I describe the circumstance
surrounding your death
i will do so in the same breath
i use to tell about a comic
who
died at the height of his career
on
stage cracking a joke
- the audience roaring
and
so dear teacher
the
tears are not for you
but
for an assembly
of
cheering students
there to wish you bon voyage
it
was
until the explosive arrival
of
childhood’s end
the
premature loss of innocence
caught
wearing a birthday party hat
clutching a tin kazu
no
dear teacher
the
tears are not for you
the
grief i feel
is
for the other finalists
the
nine who missed the boat
one
minute wrestling with envy
the
next flooded with relief
countervailing emotions separated only
by
a startling puff of smoke
the
castaways drenched with guilt
at
what they felt
when the call came
and
they were granted
a
last-minute reprieve
i grieve for them dear teacher
not
for you
but
most of all i’m angry
at
myself for being fascinated
by
the telescopic view
of
your forlorn family
huddled on the dock
waving
goodbye to the Titanic
and
angrier still that i would sit
watching
grainy pictures
shot
from ambush
of
small children
getting
in and out of limousines
for
this rude intrusion
i
am truly sorry
but
not for you
dear
teacher
how
can I be anything
but
overjoyed
for
someone
destined
to spend eternity
aboard
a great plumed ship
steaming
out
across
a bay of cobalt blue
you
at
the rail
dreaming
forever
leaning toward Orion