Ilene Bauer Poet Rhyme

The Artemis Splashdown

The auditorium was filled
With every class in school.
On stage, a small TV set sat – 
For sure, too miniscule.

The year was ’61 or 2,
A spaceship set to go,
With either Alan Shepard
Or John Glenn; I do not know.

But we’d been prepped and we were psyched;
We watched in silent awe,
Though only those in front were sure
Of what they really saw.

I though of that last night as I
Was fixed on my TV
To watch the capsule slowly drift
And plop into the sea.

To many younger folk, this wasn’t
Much of a big deal.
They couldn’t quite experience 
What those my age did feel

Remembering so long ago
When space was the frontier
We thought we’d conquer, but that was
A different atmosphere.

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John Fleming April 11, 2026 at 5:33 PM I don't remember John Glen's flight. But I do remember having your exact same experience when NASA went to the Moon with Armstrong, Aldrin and Collins: "Thats one small step for man ...One giant leap for Mankind". Days of thunder!! When the whole World stopped and wondered. Heady days indeed. Your poem brings it all flooding back. :) john

Tom Cunningham April 11, 2026 at 11:07 AM Space has always fascinated me from when I was a boy because of the time difference it was 01.30 here in the uk when the Artemis capsule splashed down, hope to see someone walk on mars in my lifetime. Tom

Christopher Delegans April 11, 2026 at 9:54 AM Wonderful poem and presentation of a childhood memory. I have always been memorized by space travel and the universe in general. I remember reading so many books as a kid and being glued to the TV anytime something like this was broadcast. Your poem did a great job of vividly recalling those memories.