Number 119, The Baumgartner Trip.

The Baumgartner Trip.

If you jump to Earth from space,
Expect your heart and pulse to race;
It’s doubtful you will be relaxed,
While your hurtle rate is maxed;
Faster than the speed of sound,
Directly down towards the ground.

Don’t forget the strict dress code;
A well made suit, shoes for the road,
A seamless leotard to foil
Any risk your blood will boil.
A helmet just in case you bump
Your head on something when you jump,
Not that there is much out there;
You might just bump your head on air!
Don’t forget to wear a vest;
It’s cold up there, make sure you’re dressed,
To keep the frost out and the chill,
That slows your senses, and it will.
You’ll need to keep your wits intact,
Keep them highly tuned in fact,
To keep an eye on just how long
You’ve got before it all goes wrong!

You might well need new underwear,
And change into an unstained pair,
Before the crew turn up for you,
And find you desperate for the loo;
Assuming you survive the drop,
And pull the parachute to stop
You diving deep, too fast to hurt;
Dead and buried, in the dirt!

© Stephen Saunders