From Tragedy To Triumph Poem by Richard Wlodarski

Heading for Fra Mauro
The highlands of the moon
Then disaster striking us
Two hundred thousand miles
From home and brave family
Explosion of life supply
Oxygen tank tears our life
Now critical lack of
Oxygen light water
And electricity
May just God have mercy

Landing mission aborted
Emergency procedures
Now the call of dreaded day
Courageously circle moon
We begin arduous task
Returning to Planet Earth

Higher Power intervenes
Stabilizing the spacecraft
Breathing Life for our lives
Finding enough energy
For the damaged fuel cells
To rocket us back to Earth
Navigation no such plan
Repetitive correction
Of untested maneuvers
Tragedy turns to triumph
Touch down Apollo 13!