Major Tom (Coming Home)

17 February 2006

We got a taste of summer today. Walking across the asphalt to go grocery shopping, I felt that familiar warmth of summer. The sun warmed one cheek, the other, shaded, frosted over like Europa.

In the open, a little warmth is nice. In the house, it can get a little stuffy. We cracked the windows and waited for the sun to go down and equilibrium to set in.

Now, as a near stagnant breeze pushes indolently at the blinds, Peter Schilling's Major Tom plays

Standing there alone
The ship is waiting
All systems are go
Are you sure?
Control is not convinced
But the computer
Has the evidence
No need to abort
The countdown starts

Watching in a trance
The crew is certain
Nothing left to chance
All is working
Trying to relax
Up in the capsule
Send me up a drink
Jokes Major Tom
The count goes on

4...3...2...1...
Earth below us
Drifting falling
Floating weightless
Calling calling home

It takes me back to a simpler time. 1983 to be precise.