By the Time I Get To... (Julia Ecklar) -

In the crystaline void of orbit’s brink -- I was there!

I know not where they’ll land me now.

It could be anywhere.

When reentry fires have faded, the brightness leaves my sight,

And I find I’m stacked on an aircraft’s back.

Riding home’s gonna take all night.

And my engine’s in the ocean.

My payload’s on a train.

And I’m a frequent flier when the Cape’s expecting rain.

Yesterday I journeyed for half a million miles.

Now I’m stacked up on an aircraft’s back.

This last part takes a while.

There’s nothing left for me to do but -- hold on tight!

So self-assured in orbit.

Now I find I’m scared of heights!

And I get kind of airsick, 'cause air is not my style.

My knees will shake and my belly ache,

Trying hard just o hold down tiles.

And my engine’s in the ocean.

My payload’s on a train.

And I’m a frequent flier when the Cape’s expecting rain.

Yesterday I journeyed for half a million miles.

Now I’m stacked up on an aircraft’s back.

This last part takes a while.

Before each quarter’s launch, they hope that I’m all there.

To half the Roman pantheon they sing a secret prayer.

Am I lock and stock and barrel of the dream I helped to start?

Is it really true, that I slept through the most exciting part?

And my engine’s in the ocean.

My payload’s on a train.

And I’m a frequent flier when the Cape’s expecting rain.

Yesterday I journeyed for half a million miles.

Now I’m stacked up on an aircraft’s back.

This last part takes a while.