When I was a sophomore in high school, and just 17 years old, I wrote a poem for our school's "Reflections" contest.  At the time I was very enamored with America's space program, and so I thought I'd write about it.  But in my research I discovered that the Soviet Union had done quite a bit to advance the space race as well, and if it hadn't been for tragedy they might well have reached the moon before us.  Being young and idealistic I thought there was a good lesson to be learned there.

Exploring The Last Frontier
by Rusty Keele

It began early, back in nineteen sixty one,
Kennedy issued the challenge, the race had begun.

The Russians and Americans were hoping to soon,
Be the first people to walk on the moon.

To further the work the whole country joined hands,
They wanted the moon to be American land.

They continued to think, to hope and to pray,
And a little was accomplished every single day.

John Glenn was the first American to leave the Earth,
And this began a revolutionary birth.

They thought of everything that could go wrong,
Then fixed it through work hard and long.

After eight hard years of tests and flights,
The time for the moon was just about right.

Finally, three brave men were on their way,
To the moon and back in a few short days.

In Mid July of nineteen sixty nine,
Man touched the moon for the very first time.

But while America celebrated joy and pride,
Capping off a nine year long ride.

The Russians experienced a different emotion,
Their trip to the moon had been lost in commotion.

And even though the Americans had "won"
The Russians had helped to get the job done.

I think that this race was trying to say,
"Get rid of our differences - put them away."

If the world could possibly just pull together,
Man would be able to conquer forever.

This poem copyright © 1988 by Rusty Keele.  All rights reserved.