1. ODE TO A YOUNG PILOT
Young pilot, you are called to fly
once more.
Early morning, as before,
no resistance, accepting –no fuss
Has given out all to us
His hour glass now upturned.
His glass empty.
Young pilot flying, adrenaline rush
Fighter and he out of sight now,
and of sound. But we remain
searching blue sky for smallest stain.
Ache and hurt take the place
of his precious living love.
With smile, touch, voice gone
Our hearts empty.
Young Pilot “return to base, fly back”
Home again once more
Young man in blue
No, too much to ask again
This was his parent’s prayer, half century past.
It is our loving memories that remain
Last.
Young pilot, fly on, fly on.
You were given a second chance.
We salute you as you fly past.
Those left behind conscious of service rendered,
Mission accomplished,
Duty Done.
Fly on, fly on.
To Jan, Hughie and Josie
Nigel, Catherine and Gillian –
This poem is based on a chance meeting with when I met with Dr Justin Miller
in Flinders Street, Adelaide on Anzac Day 1994, the year of his passing.
I was to watch the march but Justin was preparing to be in the march in the company of RAF/RAAF
returned service men and women.
Did he often march before? I had no idea but I felt his excitement..
Justin talked briefly and animatedly about his serving as a fighter pilot and I felt then that I was
listening to a young man full of life, not the man approaching 70 years of age. I was touched to share
this brief moment with Justin particularly having only previously known him as a neighbour, surgeon,
story teller and family man
For that reason it was easy to write this poem soon after his unexpected passing because the words
just rolled out as I held the pen.
I didn’t have to change a word.