Signing Off

Signed off today
on my last flight
After forty four years
Have flown my last kite

Glorious? Well, maybe
But I had fun
And killed no one
And that’s important

Up before dawn
Wheels up at sunrise
Flying into a new day
Fields and houses zipping past

Or at dusk into a darkening sky
Lights coming on slowly
Twinkling lights below
Starlight winking above

But it was fun and I loved it
Looping the loop
Slowly through a roll
And down to a kisser landing

The thunder of our guns
The aircraft shuddering
The whoosh of a rocket
The joy of a direct hit

Pulling G, flying one versus ones
A smart move — got you there
Or in a melee of many
Suddenly no one there

Made some good friends
While I was about it
We had great times
Difficult for others to imagine

We were young then
And thoughtless
Did things we shouldn’t
And survived; others didn’t

We were the lucky ones
Yes, that was the difference
Luck, not skill brought us through
Though we thought otherwise

Those others,
Not now with us
We remember them
From time to time

Laughing faces,
Some sang well
Others danced
Or played ball

They played the game
Did we win?
Did they lose?
Who knows?

So now into the sunset
Still fighting fit, I think
I could go on regardless
Despite sundry aches and pains

But now to relax
Look at the sky
Nice day too
Once I was up there

Now I’m down here
A little bent, a little worn
But when I hear a jet
Wish I were up there