The Spoonbill Generator

The conical nose had been smeared with strawberry jam: [Apsley]

So that it appeared as if he had way too much sun [arielle ]

For a rocket his size (and weight) [Apsley]

fuel cells full...system checks complete...fingers crossed [dan]

For the crash and the boom and the bang and the thrust [Apsley]

that's space travel for you [dan]

Ignition switched to automatic, thrusters activated [Apsley]

And then a final countdown to the big push [dan]

To the nearest star, if not back [Apsley]