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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE DAWN PATROL, by PAUL BEWSHER First Line: Sometimes I fly at dawn above the sea Last Line: In thanks to him who brings me safely home. Subject(s): Air Warfare; Holidays; Thanksgiving; World War I; First World War | |||
SOMETIMES I fly at dawn above the sea, Where, underneath, the restless waters flow Silver, and cold, and slow. Dim in the east there burns a new-born sun, Whose rosy gleams along the ripples run, Save where the mist droops low, Hiding the level loneliness from me. And now appears beneath the milk-white haze A little fleet of anchored ships, which lie In clustered company, And seem as they are yet fast bound by sleep, Although the day has long begun to peep, With red-inflamèd eye, Along the still, deserted ocean ways. The fresh, cold wind of dawn blows on my face As in the sun's raw heart I swiftly fly, And watch the seas glide by. Scarce human seem I, moving through the skies, And far removed from warlike enterprise Like some great gull on high Whose white and gleaming wings beat on through space. Then do I feel with God quite, quite alone, High in the virgin morn, so white and still, And free from human ill: My prayers transcend my feeble earth-bound plaints As though I sang among the happy Saints With many a holy thrill As though the glowing sun were God's bright Throne. My flight is done. I cross the line of foam That breaks around a town of grey and red, Whose streets and squares lie dead Beneath the silent dawnthen am I proud That England's peace to guard I am allowed; Then bow my humble head, In thanks to Him Who brings me safely home. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...D'ANNUNZIO by ERNEST HEMINGWAY 1915: THE TRENCHES by CONRAD AIKEN TO OUR PRESIDENT by KATHARINE LEE BATES THE HORSES by KATHARINE LEE BATES CHILDREN OF THE WAR by KATHARINE LEE BATES THE U-BOAT CREWS by KATHARINE LEE BATES THE RED CROSS NURSE by KATHARINE LEE BATES |
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