Take off

Take off

Poem about crews preparing for flight and taking off watched by station commander and off duty WAAFs. Typewritten version with annotated revision notes.

One-page typewritten document

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SReidK473650v20026

TAKE OFF

I look down
From the high windows [inserted] from the roof? [/inserted]
Of Flying Control
Peering through
The evening mists
That roll
Around the loaded
Aircraft below
As if to keep them
Safely Earthbound.
By their planes
The Aircrews
Mother’s sons
Who did not give
Them birth for this
Tensley wait
Talking, smoking [inserted] so om seemt [sic] [/inserted]
Some standing apart
The green Very light signals
It is time to depart [inserted] waiting for[deleted]the signal from [/deleted] The Very light To [deleted] depart [/deleted] signal It is time to depart [inserted]
Encumbered with flying gear
Slowly they climb the steps
Into their planes
Some perchance pause
And give a backward glance
[deleted] As if [/deleted] loath to leave
The earth they love
[inserted] Then When They With Their deadly load [/inserted] [deleted] Then [/deleted] the twenty heavily laden planes [inserted] chocs are away [/inserted]
Wind slowly round the peri track
The Group Captain
Surrounded by a few
Off duty WAAFS and ground crew
Saluted them as they pass
Then as the Merlin’s roar
And lifts you
Into the dusky
Evening air
We who watch you go
Give a silent prayer [inserted] Oh God of peace & love [deleted] But God of [indecipherable word] God of peace and love [deleted] [/inserted]
[inserted] For your safe return God of peace & love [/inserted]
Are you listening
[deleted] You up there? [/deleted] [inserted] God of peace & love
You up there!
Oh God of Peace & love [/inserted]
[Inserted] [deleted] O The God of love & peace
But God of Peace & love
Are you listening
you up there [deleted] [/inserted]