I take my last steps outside

I cannot go back

the door locks behind me

the countdown begins

mother's voice is praying "Godspeed"

the force is a blanket

stripping movement

reaching out but my hand is thrown beside me

tightly gripping the seat

sweat drips down my chin with every push of breath

faint cheers come from the speaker

from everyone watching

a new step for all

a reply from the capsule sounds heroic

but is followed by static

released from the restraints of gravity

floating further from all that is known

alone detached from reality

alone in complete darkness

reaching out in the cold empty

the stars are blinding

yet they are all that can be seen

the weightlessness mimics a fish in water

but alone in a sea

there is no way of getting back home

the water runs dry

batteries are drained

my hand reaches out

a hand reaches back

"I am not alone"