Ol' Bear And Sarah     -  David Clure

This was to be their first grand 

journey,  who would dare believe?

Sarah Maple, and Ol' Bear,

her special robot teddy! 

Both,  strapped inside securely,

await a life-time ride;

her heart jumping, as her

nine-ish, choc'late eyes grow wide.

Fear mixes with excitement,

humility with pride;

when she realizes she's

history's first starfolk child. 

Soon, they would be riding

fiery, rolling, thunder, cloud

above the humid dawn. Destination:

International Space Station.

Then,  tucking one loose lock of

coal-black hair behind her ear;

glances sidewards to Ol' Bear...and

gulps.  He gives one soothing wink

to Sar.  She smiles.

Then, hanging on

for all they're worth, they soon are

floating

high above the Earth.

Copyright 2007 David Clure, from "EARLY WORKS".  May every child be inspired as America ascends once again into space from her own soil!