Jimmy Collins made a dash for the door
Shouting to the silhouettes at the bar,
“Lock up for me boys, the baby’s coming.”
All the men cheered
And struck their glasses together.

Relief and joy swept over Rose and Jimmy
The memory of that first arduous passage
Fading under the light of resplendent love
Asleep in her mother’s arms.

*     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *
The radio crackled and spoke,
“Houston to ‘Endeavor, ’  
Good morning, Commander Collins.”
And Eileen fell out of one dream into another.
Beyond her window a hazy blue ball spun slowly.  

How was it possible for the Earth to be “there”
And for “here” to be any place else?

200 miles below James and Rose
Looked up in wonder at the sky.

May,  2006