Those Magnificent Men In Their Flying Machines

Over at the poets pub today, they have offered a very tough challenge to us humble poets, turning prose to poetry.  Pop in there from the link to find out whatits all about.

That is a famous quote belonging to Sir Winston Churchill, Prime Minister of Great Britain during the second World War. I thought it was fitting to use something like this as tomorrow, 11th of November is Armistice Day [Remembrance Day, Veterans  day]. I always try to stop whatever it is I am doing at 11am and just think about all the people who have died or been affected by war all over the world.

So I took the quote, tried to make something of it, then added my own words and thoughts and only hope I did it justice. The quote is taken from a speech given by Sir Wistone Churchill as the tide turned in the skies for the Battle of Britain and its airspace. Securing the air was a major step in turning things around after some terrible losses inflicted on the Allied forces.

Never in the field of human conflict, has so much been owed by so many to so few

Never,
In the field,
Of human
Conflict,
Was so much,
Owed by,
So many, to,
So few.

This is my own interpretation

Those magnificent men in their flying machines,
Fight for survival as a matter of routine,
Resembling swallows, they duck and they dive,
For control of the skies, they vigorously strive.

Engines roar as the machines take to the air,
Ground crews ensure they are properly prepared,
Guns blaze their murder, the dogfight ensues,
This is a battle we dare not to lose.

Those brave few carry the hopes of millions,
Fight men, protecting civilians,
We owe them so much, for being so bold,
Theirs is a story readily told.