One lone cloud captured every eye
and silenced cheerful laughter.
Death was a cloud in a clear blue sky...
a pictorial sermon the moment after.

Seven sparks of life blew out in a burst of fire and smoke
leaving behind a serpentine cloud twisting there with ease.
A dream dissipated in the breeze
from which no one awoke.

Could it be said that they died in vain
or that their bravery saw them through?
Was their hope for greater gain
a goal worth reaching to?
Is bravery like paying the greatest cost
not knowing if they would owe the bill
Yet knowing from the start they could be lost?
Is bravery just an act of will?

Perhaps their boldest act of all
was where all men could see
as Challenger issued her final call
and challenged man with his mortality.

Seven sparks of life blew out in a burst of fire and smoke
leaving behind a serpentine cloud twisting there with ease.
A dream dissipated in the breeze
from which no one awoke.