Black Bombers
I dreamed again of black bombers.
Each night, they look a little different -
More sweep to the wings, perhaps,
A shorter tail or larger intakes —
But the same, in essence. Moonlight
Strokes their curves with satin sheen.
They're beautiful, as fast things are —
Ferraris at Monza, thoroughbreds
At Churchill Downs, a V-2, poised.
They're beautiful as purposeful things are —
Industrial beam cranes painted safety
Yellow, catenary bridges, Hoover Dam.
The missions never change:
To plant a bed of fast-blooming
Flowers of annihilation
Across an unspecific plain.
The missions never include knowing
The mission's larger purpose, just
The small, horticultural role
The bombers play. In dreams, I never
Find this odd, nor the fact
I'm both admirer looking on
And crew looking out to count
The blossoms bursting yellow, orange,
Red and black. I only know
To count then brace myself
As we bank, hard left, and fly away
At terrible velocity.
Each night, they look a little different -
More sweep to the wings, perhaps,
A shorter tail or larger intakes —
But the same, in essence. Moonlight
Strokes their curves with satin sheen.
They're beautiful, as fast things are —
Ferraris at Monza, thoroughbreds
At Churchill Downs, a V-2, poised.
They're beautiful as purposeful things are —
Industrial beam cranes painted safety
Yellow, catenary bridges, Hoover Dam.
The missions never change:
To plant a bed of fast-blooming
Flowers of annihilation
Across an unspecific plain.
The missions never include knowing
The mission's larger purpose, just
The small, horticultural role
The bombers play. In dreams, I never
Find this odd, nor the fact
I'm both admirer looking on
And crew looking out to count
The blossoms bursting yellow, orange,
Red and black. I only know
To count then brace myself
As we bank, hard left, and fly away
At terrible velocity.
"They're beautiful as purposeful things are —
Industrial beam cranes painted safety
Yellow, catenary bridges, Hoover Dam." LOVE this! Yes! *
Thank you, Meg. Always delightful to have you comment.
Wells aid and my exact sentiments.
SAID!
Amazing imagery, Gary.
Strong piece, Gary -
"The missions never change:
To plant a bed of fast-blooming
Flowers of annihilation
Across an unspecific plain."
Nice form. Good music. *
Fave, Gary. Along the way I was reminded of "Naming of Parts".
"As we bank, hard left, and fly away At terrible velocity."
Such a telling close.
As gorgeous as it is horrible: "plant a bed of fast-moving annihilation" and the dream feeling of being both observer and crew. Loved this one. Powerful in every way. Fave*.
As gorgeous as it is horrible: "plant a bed of fast-moving annihilation" and the dream feeling of being both observer and crew. Loved this one. Powerful in every way. Fave*.
(just delete my double)
"The small, horticultural role
The bombers play..." Well done.*
One of my favorites.*
excellent. every word feels perfectly chosen and in the perfect place.
fine work.
Fine work. Great pictures.*
Thank you, all, for finding this noteworthy. I am grateful for the kind readings and remarks.
along with the wonderful details, this poem has a lot of movement*
Thank you, Jane.
Bombs away. *
"The missions never change . . . "
This is also postable in the Toxins group.
I love the image of fast blooming flowers. Very nice, Gary *
Thank you, Foster.
This is very strong. Your control of the phrasing is superb.
They're beautiful, as fast things are —
Ferraris at Monza, thoroughbreds
At Churchill Downs, a V-2, poised.
They're beautiful as purposeful things are —
Industrial beam cranes painted safety
Yellow, catenary bridges, Hoover Dam. ****