The United States Space Program and its Place in History?
Originally published on my space art website in 1995. Still holds true today; now more than ever.

Each time I observe or participate in a spacecraft launch I wonder at all that we have been able to do with The Technology of Fire.

This earth is born from the cauldron of the stars.
All of the elements that are in it
    were formed in those intense fires.
We have a fire inside that burns ever so gently
    in comparison with the stars.
It is the same fire, but it burns in a very special way.
We are born from this earth.
We rise up out of it and walk around,
    soon to return to its womb.
All of the elements within us are scattered
  throughout the Universe.
We are the Universe come to contemplate itself.