Today’s poem

OUT OF THE SHADOWS

Oh say, can you seem them, these thousands of men Eager to make their way skywards again? Out of the shadows of time they appear Ready for action, disclaiming all fear, Knowing the dangers of fighters and flak. These were the heroes who never came back. Oh say, can you hear it, that full-throated roar Of Lancaster engines as you heard before? The bombers all ready to take to the sky Their crews in position and waiting to fly. I hear them so clearly . . . though 80 years on The runways have vanished — the Lancasters gone. Oh say, can you feel it, that tingling inside, A sense of humility, tempered with pride? Let’s stand here to honour them and, as they go, Remember again the great debt that we owe. They came from the shadows, these planes and these men, Now they return to the shadows again. Nora Veysey, Tonbridge, Kent.