the steppe wind’s
ragged breath
Earth unspools
a sapphire thread
between night and dawn
breath condensing
on iron glass
alone she counts
the capsule shudders
a womb of wire and flame
gravity’s leash
resumes its pull
the curve of the Volga
infinity clasped
in a single glove
Paul Conneally
27th February, 2025
Valentina Tereshkova was the first woman in space, having flown a solo mission on Vostok 6 on the 16th of June 1963. She orbited the Earth 48 times, spent almost three days in space, is the only woman to have been on a solo space mission and is the last surviving Vostok programme cosmonaut. Twenty-six years old at the time of her spaceflight, she remains the youngest woman to have flown in space under the international definition of 100 km altitude, and the youngest woman to fly in Earth orbit.
Burn The Water 
Paul, I find this poem really has her in it; each stanza she and “. . . the Steppe wind’s / ragged breath . . . / /
“iron glass . . . womb of wire & flame . . . gravity’s leash . . . the Volga . . .
Stunningly beautiful and I thank you for it.
Donna Fleischer
thank you so much Donna!
Paul, I find this poem really has her in it; each stanza she and “. . . the Steppe wind’s / ragged breath . . . / /
“iron glass . . . womb of wire & flame . . . gravity’s leash . . . the Volga . . .
Stunningly beautiful and I thank you for it.
Donna Fleischer
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glad to read you, see you, and now hear from you, Paul. all’s well, I hope for you as with me, Donna