Ode For Kalpana

With years as first in her class

 She knew the fears --

 That if you ask too much of it

 Metal shrieks, tears,

 Falls apart in pieces.

 A technical fact to her. 

 All the world to us.

 Fire consumes a nation's heart.

 

This Karnal girl sought the skies.

Space shuttles whispered in her ear 

And she answered head to feet.

We keep her smile in that last video.

Like Seneca, she thought

"The whole universe is my native land."

 Now more than ever, dear one.

 We weep.

The writer, who has taught poetry at university, is US Ambassador to India