If the astronaut in orbit
Is concerned, it doesn’t show
In his voice as he discusses
With the people down below
Why when he pushed the button
The engine simply wouldn’t go
And why the green light in the cockpit
Has now ceased its cheerful glow.
Control relays instructions
In a careful measured tone
While in between transmissions
Away from any microphone
The highly trained technicians
Think maybe a cable's blown
Though with all the built in safeguards
This has never yet been known.
The astronaut in orbit
Has tried all that’s been suggested;
He’s opened all the panels,
Tested all that can be tested.
The technicians safe on Earth admit
This time they have been bested
And although they haven’t told him yet
The astronaut has guessed it.
Acting merely in frustration
The angry astronaut then kicks
The biggest of the boxes
Housing electronic tricks
Looking in complete amazement
As the engine’s green light flicks
He reaches for the radio -
“Control, I have a fix....”
