Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


SEARCHLIGHTS by PAUL BEWSHER

First Line: YOU WHO HAVE SEEN ACROSS THE STAR-DECKED SKIES
Last Line: WHICH SLOWLY MOVES ACROSS THE SHELL-TORN NIGHT?
Subject(s): AIR WARFARE; AVIATION & AVIATORS; WORLD WAR I; AIRPLANES; AIR PILOTS; FIRST WORLD WAR;

YOU who have seen across the star-decked skies
The long white arms of searchlights slowly sweep,
Have you imagined what it is to creep
High in the darkness, cold and terror-wise,
For ever looked for by those cruel eyes
Which search with far-flung beams the shadowy deep,
And near the wings unending vigil keep
To haunt the lonely airman as he flies?

Have you imagined what it is to know
That if @3one@1 finds you @3all@1 their fierce desire
To see you fall will dog you as you go,
High in a sea of light and bursting fire,
Like some small bird, lit up and blinding white,
Which slowly moves across the shell-torn night?



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