Landing At JFK

"I believe that this nation should commit itself to achieving the goal, before this decade is out, of landing a man on the Moon and returning him safely to the Earth. No single space project in this period will be more impressive to mankind, or more important for the long-range exploration of space; and none will be so difficult or expensive to accomplish. We propose to accelerate the development of the appropriate lunar space craft. We propose to develop alternate liquid and solid fuel boosters, much larger than any now being developed, until certain which is superior. We propose additional funds for other engine development and for unmanned explorations--explorations which are particularly important for one purpose which this nation will never overlook: the survival of the man who first makes this daring flight. But in a very real sense, it will not be one man going to the Moon--if we make this judgment affirmatively, it will be an entire nation. For all of us must work to put him there."

          - Kennedy's Address on the Importance of Space 5/25/61

Landing At JFK 4/28

Clouds spot the sky

and the Space Shuttle

piggy-backs in and out

of their shadows

Slowly slowly

the white panels reflect

and the waves off

JFK airport cap

Canadian Geese huddle

on the sand and a pair

of Mallards bob on the

waves

The dog wants to chase

them - people point to

the sky and that speck

comes quickly to ground

And someone says 'What

are we looking at?' and

another says 'A space

shuttle on a plane.'