Falter

No shuttle launches,
No brilliant flight,
No trip to outside
Where the sun burns bright.

No beauteous portraits,
No one up floating there,
No lengths of miles,
No space of clear air.

Why here do we go?
It seems 'tis not so!
When will we return
And through bright air burn?

Thought here that we knew,
But now there's so few
Who strain for the sky
Where the night's ever nigh.

Wait too long and lose!
It's our job to choose:
Waste on fear and doubt
Or skyward reach out?

We all in all things
Know sacrifice brings
That which is worthy,
Of importance be.

We will there go on
Into night's endless dawn!
So grasp and reach high!
The future draws nigh!