Poem

From: pgebhart@iquest.net (Peggy Gebhart)
Subject: Poem
Date: Tue, 17 Dec 96 13:52 EST

                I shared the poem with a group of students in the Muncie
Community Schools Planetarium this morning.  They asked if they could
submit  a  versions of the poem.   So,  from Muncie, Indiana    . . .  .




                        T'was The Night Before Independence Day



                T'was the night before Independence Day
                when all through the stars, not a creature was stirring,
                not even on Mars.


                When all of a sudden, like a great blinking light,
                I looked up and saw  Pathfinder in sight!


                I whistled and yelled with all of my might
                Even woke up my Mom in the middle of the night.


                And then with a twinkle, learned with joy
                the parachute on Pathfinder began to deploy.


                All of a sudden the airbags expanded.
                I waited to learn when Pathfinder landed.


                Sojourner was nestled in Pathfinder with care,
                in hopes that daylight soon would be there.


                The solar panels opened.  And to my praise,
                there I saw Sojourner waiting for rays.


                The Sun rose quietly in the peaceful Martian air.
                As Sojourner examined each rock with care.


                We all thank Sojourner for sending back facts.
                while moving across Mars, leaving Eartly tracks.