104

Seven nations waited with breaths bated
to see the beast with the little ones fly
to leave its gleaming trail in the sky

All things were in place, all checks were done
Eyes eager for the success they sought
The countdown had already begun
and the numbers slowly inched towards naught

The onlookers watched in anticipation
mixed with excitement and tinged with fear
The fuel and chemicals awaited ejection
to ignite the fire and soar clear

The moment arrived and the rockets gave the thrust
The launch pad was engulfed in flames and smoke and dust
From a tiny island off India's coast on the east
Carrying the payloads, off flew the beast

Soaring high in the sky, the strap-on rockets dropped
Then one by one, the stages came off
With several tons now reduced from the weight
beast and burden proceeded on their way

Along the planned orbit the rocket breezed
Step by step the payloads were released
Over five hundred kilometres below, on firm terrain
seven nations watched as satellites rained

Bunches of nanosats dropping off, gleaming in the light
captured by the on-board cam made a picturesque sight
As the tiny, shiny objects drifted against a backdrop of blue
those on terra firma were witnessing a dream come true

The satellites slowly drifted into place
On the earth, amidst an air of grace
Joy and relief and celebrations galore
On a scale so massive it shattered what was done before
ISRO aced the test with one hundred and four