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Night Flight (On a DC-6)

Posted: Thu Aug 29, 2013 6:04 am
by rmbowen
This poem was written as I was leaving home (from leave from Sub School) on a night flight (about midnight) to Charleston, SC. I had orders to report to SSBN627B on 6 Nov 1967. I left as late as I could to get to the base on time. There was no moon. It was a short hop (Birmingham to Atlanta), and only 3 or four passengers. The cabin lights were almost all turned out. It was a cool clear night. The view was incredible. The stars were very bright and the street lights and porch lights below were clearly visible. With all the ground lights and stars, it was hard to tell where the sky ended and the ground began. I hope you have had a similiar experience. Today, when I read this poem, I am transported back aboard that plane and I get that empty feeling one has when he or she leaves a loved one.... I hope you enjoy the ride!


Night Flight

I sit in darkness and watch in sorrow
As the lights below slip past,
So slowly yet so fast!
I wish tonight, that I could borrow
From that vast inventory of time
And relive those hours when you were mine.
For memories are like passing lights -
They bring images, but go unfelt !
Oh, that this loneliness would melt
And vanish forever into the night,
For the sensation is but bittersweet
To pretend in darkness that our lips meet.


Copyright# TXu001882466 - RMB

Re: Night Flight (On a DC-6)

Posted: Wed Aug 06, 2014 8:32 pm
by KellyJoeRay
Great description of that lonely feeling one has when they leave on a jet plane. Fantastic poem Roy. I wish I would have wrote this one...I damn sure lived it a bunch of times... :lol:

Re: Night Flight (On a DC-6)

Posted: Fri Sep 05, 2014 5:00 pm
by rmbowen
I know you did, thanks, Shipmate!