Stunning Image, Heartfelt Poetry Could Become Icons of Space Age

By Nancy Atkinson - November 15, 2010 at 7:38 AM UTC | Site News
Blue.jpg

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Undoubtedly, this picture has what it takes to become an iconic image of human spaceflight, much like

Apollo 8's Earthrise

or

Bruce McCandless' untethered spacewalk.

Here, astronaut Tracy Caldwell Dyson looks down at Earth from the Cupola on the International Space Station, likely reflecting on both her home and her home in space. Everyone I know who has seen this image has just melted, with a sigh that says, "Oh, wow -- that is just amazing!" (It made today's

Astronomy Picture of the Day

.) My initial thoughts were that this is the one of the most poetic image of human spaceflight I have ever seen. And sure enough,

Stuart Atkinson

(the guy who I nominate at the Poet Laureate of Space) was inspired by this image, too. He has written a magnificent, heartfelt poem that captures the spirit --as well as the technology -- of this image, and very likely sums up Caldwell Dyson's thoughts as she gazes out the Cupola windows.

Read "Blue" by Stuart Atkinson:

BLUE

Ignoring the tsunami of technology humming behind her, The chaos of cameras, computers and calculators Covering the walls, she shuts her eyes and smiles. This isn't what she imagined as a girl. In all those classroom daydreams she always saw herself Looking down – or up – at the world from high above - or below – Beside a plate-sized portal, straining to glimpse Some small portion of the planet spinning silently beyond The scratched and fingerprint-smeared glass, unable to see More than mere hints of the colours, shadows and shapes Shown in all the books and magazines…

But this…

Earth is there… everywhere… A ball of burning blue close enough to touch. Painted on the heavens in all its Van Gogh glory It fills the sky, overflows her sight, A startling Stargate of colour in an ocean of emptiness. Even with her eyes closed she still sees its azure glow, Feels its sapphire shades blazing in the ink-black night. In the work-day-over darkness, Earthlight Washes her face like cool rain as painfully beautiful Whirls and whorls of milk-white cloud swirl O'er the world below and she knows, in her aching Heart, that long after she has returned to Terra, To walk barefoot on its dew-drenched grass and Splash in its ocean's surging surf a part of her Will always be here, at this window, gazing down Upon the Earth.

© Stuart Atkinson 2010

Thanks to Stu for allowing us to publish his poem, a Universe Today exclusive! To see more of his poetry and imagery, check out his websites, Cumbrian Sky, and Road to Endeavour.

Nancy Atkinson

Nancy Atkinson

Nancy Atkinson is a space journalist and author with a passion for telling the stories of people involved in space exploration and astronomy. She is currently retired from daily writing, but worked at Universe Today for 20 years as a writer and editor. She also contributed articles to The Planetary Society, Ad Astra (National Space Society), New Scientist and many other online outlets.

Her 2019 book, "Eight Years to the Moon: The History of the Apollo Missions,” shares the untold stories of engineers and scientists who worked behind the scenes to make the Apollo program so successful, despite the daunting odds against it. Her first book “Incredible Stories From Space: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at the Missions Changing Our View of the Cosmos” (2016) tells the stories of 37 scientists and engineers that work on several current NASA robotic missions to explore the solar system and beyond.

Nancy is also a NASA/JPL Solar System Ambassador, and through this program, she has the opportunity to share her passion of space and astronomy with children and adults through presentations and programs. Nancy's personal website is nancyatkinson.com