How did it feel, Neil?

How did it feel, Neil To see the world from space? Were you over the moon, or overcome? Did it all seem out of place? 3 long days of travelling; Finally, they’re there To see a rocky planet That’s desolate and bare. The real blue pearl and treasure Immeasurable in worth Is the world we all inhabit Our so-called planet Earth.

But Planet Earth’s a misnomer When most of it is blue Seven tenths is Ocean Believe me, please – it’s true. The other shades of colour That met Neil Armstrong’s eyes Gave clues to Earth’s unique features. Clarification, but no surprise. Brown showed up the mountain chains, White the polar ice. Yellow the brutal desert areas, A guide (but not precise).

Green - the fertile crops and fields, The forests packed with trees Not found at the Earth’s extremities Where you’d either melt or freeze. In Armstrong’s words, the Earth was a pea Not like a planet at all. But he didn’t feel a giant. He just felt very small. Armstrong held his thumb to the sky And then closed one of his eyes Blotted out, the Earth vanished Much to his surprise.

One small step One last look At Planet Earth from space. One giant leap for mankind And for the human race. A fleeting visit Over in no time As the Earth revolved and twirled. Beautiful, blue and hovering Our precious planet pearl. M F Cowan 2009 See www.poemsforgeography.blogspot.com for more