POEM NEAR THE END OF A WAR

SEE over there, my son, above that willow tree, ∎ f That space of sky between those two white clouds, See how its shade is darkening?

Look closer, pierce the haze of morning, See? It is no shade, it is a mass of entities.

Look, they detach themselves, you can spot d High in the open sky Liberators, Fortresses.

Now they approach, these fleets of aery ships Close, compact, steadfast in discipline, So high that who can understand That in their tiny shapes are men Each with a heart, with hopes and loves, And fears.

e Stay here, my son, and watch this magic sight.

Know you what it means? Know you the portent of this might?

There is America, high in these English skies, The punch-fist of an arm a thousand leagues in length.

There is America above these English fields—

And look! See over there? There flies AnotIvr fleet of airborne warriors, Lancasters.

Flyers from Eng'.and, in the English air, Flyers from America, who dare With blood-shared fortitude and loss To hurl their missiles at the crooked cross.

Fortresses, Lancasters, Liberators, All with a common aim, Oblivious of race or strain, All with a common name, Liberators.

The heavens fill with vibrant sound, The battle song of thunderbirds. Thank God, my son, that we have found That men from Somerset and Kent, From Oxford, Looe and Yorkshire dale, Are one with those America has sent From Harvard, Ma'ne and Merivale, From all her Continent.

Hear now, my son, mark you this massive sound, This awe-inspiring, soul-uplifting sound, Culled from an integrated orchestra With instruments from Willow Run and Manchester.

For when the trumpet sounds and victory's won

o And the captains and the kings depart,

Then will the trials and the dangers come, Then may our union fall apart ; When common aims become obscured And men from selflessness are lured.

Think of America, with us, in freedom's sky And pray that we will still hear freedom cry That men from Somerset and Kent, From Oxford, Looe and Yorkshire dale, Are one with those America has sent From Harvard, Maine and Merivale, From all her Continent. NIGEL TANGYE.