Sam Kauffman | + Follow Poet |
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A Historic Event

A Historic Event

Bright stars now ascending
 The silken threads
Of your earthly footsteps
 Shattered – broken.

And yet you still ascend
 Through galaxies of midnight
Embraced by the One
 In an eternal sun storm.

Your spirits ejected
 Into a clear blue morning
Tumbling with stunned eyes
 Entering an unexplored world.

As you rise in blinding fury
 Your exploration spirits
Still leave guide map seekers
 Yearning to touch unseen galleries.

Bright challenger stars
 Tragedy engulfs you –
But, your legacy, ascending in courage,
 Still rises – always remembered.

Challenger, ode to explorers
 In lyrics of lose
Laments from all nations
 Still rise to find you.

9-26-20
Dedicated to Challenger and her crew when the space shuttle exploded on take-off in January of 1985.
153 words
Contest: A Historic Event
Sponsor: William Kekaula

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Caren Krutsinger Date: 2/25/2021 5:50:00 AM Congratulations on a well deserved win. Many probably do not remember this but I certainly do. I think evert teacher in America wanted to be on that space ship that morning. Login to Reply Sam Kauffman Date: 2/25/2021 10:10:00 AM So grateful for your message and your congratulations! My heart sank when I heard the news. And I couldn't remember if a girl from my college living group, who became an astronaut, was on Challenger. Turns out she was on the previous mission. I think we still feel a national grief. Take care!

Janice Canerdy Date: 9/28/2020 4:20:00 PM Sam, you made an excellent choice of topic. Your poem is descriptive and moving. CONGRATS on your win. Janice Login to Reply

Gary Smith Date: 9/28/2020 3:16:00 PM Excellent poignant poetry Sam, congrats. Login to Reply Sam Kauffman Date: 2/25/2021 10:12:00 AM Hi Gary! Well better late than never. Just discovered I missed your wonderful feedback! Thank you. I will never forget that day or where I was when I heard the news. Hope you are well.

Linda Alice Fowler Date: 9/27/2020 11:01:00 AM Beautiful remembrance Sam. A perfect retelling of the event. Linda Login to Reply Sam Kauffman Date: 9/28/2020 2:35:00 PM Thank you so much Linda. I hoped this would hang together and tell the story of those fateful split seconds - and beyond. So good to receive your message. All the best to you!

Carolyn Devonshire Date: 9/25/2020 12:28:00 PM Wow, Sam, of all the historic events, we chose the same one. It's a day I won't forget and I love the way you described it as "threads of Earthly footsteps broken." Powerful poetry! Congratulations on your great win. Hugs, Carolyn Login to Reply Sam Kauffman Date: 9/28/2020 2:24:00 PM We seem to be on the same wave length so many times, Caroline! I think the power of these lines comes from a place of heartbreak, and this is going to sound strange, relief. I couldn't remember if a college acquaintance, an astronaut, was on this mission. Thankfully she was not! Thank you for your congratulations. hugs and prayers...

Paula Goldsmith Date: 9/25/2020 8:55:00 AM Congratulations on your win. A wonderful write on a tragic and sad event. Enjoy your win and day.................. Login to Reply Sam Kauffman Date: 9/28/2020 2:20:00 PM Hi Paula! This day will forever be indelibly engraved in our memories. They gave everything to reach the stars. I wanted to remember that spirit of the explorer in them. Thank you for your note! Enjoy your afternoon my friend! Hugs and blessings!

Anisha Dutta Date: 9/25/2020 5:33:00 AM Big Congrats Sam to win Top. The most tragic event of premature death of budding astronauts to recollect. Login to Reply Sam Kauffman Date: 9/28/2020 2:14:00 PM It was a day seeped in sadness for the world. They sought to touch the stars but touched the face of God. Thank you for your, always, thoughtful comments. Sending you blessings my friend!

Malabika Ray Choudhury Date: 9/25/2020 5:18:00 AM Congratulations, Sam, for the top win. Brilliantly written about a historic but tragic day for humankind. Login to Reply Sam Kauffman Date: 9/28/2020 2:09:00 PM I am truly honored by your gracious words, Mala. Thank you so much. Somehow I wanted to honor these courageous explorers - definitely with the "right stuff." They will always be close to the heart of the world. Hope you are well. Sending you the best. hugs...

Carol Mitra Date: 9/24/2020 9:32:00 PM Wow....Sam Congrats on your lovely poem and win...a tragic event indeed. Login to Reply

Hilo Poet Date: 9/24/2020 6:37:00 PM Constructed with a milieu of exhaling decency, Sam, contributive words to accentuate that day and beyond, blessings my friend on your honorable placement, Aloha! William Login to Reply Sam Kauffman Date: 9/24/2020 7:57:00 PM Willam, I am honored with this first place placement and your gracious message. Thank you and thank you for honoring the memories of our brave astronauts. Sending many blessings back to you! Aloha my friend!

Kim Rodrigues Date: 9/23/2020 6:28:00 PM Was a sad day! I crossed the t.v.’s path as I brought my Kindergartener to the bus stop. Login to Reply Sam Kauffman Date: 9/24/2020 2:11:00 PM Agreed! Tragedy on wings! I was on my way to work when I heard the news. My heart stopped as I couldn't remember if a friend from college was on that mission or the previous mission! It turns out she was on the previous mission. Hope all is well. Blessings!