Mir Aeterna 
                                      
     Falling, Mir's falling to earth again,
     Burning, hopes burning to earth again,
     The last best dreams of Soviet might,
     Burning, Mir's burning, to earth again.
     
     Without even a flag to remember them by
     Sweet Mir will vanish from the near earth sky,
     Leaving only old men and a handful of photos
     To mark for the ages where Mir has been.
     
     Mir is falling to earth again,
     Tumbling headlong towards the sea,
     Taking everything that was meant to be
     Into flames, pretty lights, and memory.
     
     Rest in peace, Mir,
     Gagarin weeps for thee.
     
                                1961 - 2000
                                Copyright
                               L. J. Thompson
                              August 28, 1999