Poetry Break: “Let Me Tell You How I Died” – Dogfight

So… where were we with this poetry series?
Those of you who have followed me for awhile might recognize it. A few years back, I tapped into my rhyming writer origins and penned a big poem (consisting of a lot of smaller poems, really) about the various evil ways wars have ended innocent human lives. I enjoyed posting it in small installments, but then came 2020. Given all the challenges chucked at us, I didn’t have the heart to continue with it.
However, there are still a lot of segments left to share with you. Since I’m working on a new series all about WWI aviators, I couldn’t resist pulling this one out of my files and dusting it off. I do plan on sharing the rest of those poems at some later date too. I guess we’ll see how things go.
But until then, here’s a little piece of it, in the spirit of my upcoming articles:
LET ME TELL YOU HOW I DIED
PART II – SEGMENT 5
Dogfight
Flying high over the skies of France
The breeze makes the wires of my plane wings dance
Below me the world is indifferent and small
Makes me wonder why humans fight each other at all
The men in the mud are like tiny brown dots
The scratches of barbed wire look like harmless spots
But that isn’t so with the Archie blasts
They burst at my head, hope my plane lasts
Suddenly I hear the familiar sound
The sizzle of bullets – an enemy fighter inbound!
I rev up my engine and get into line
My wingman gives the signal, it’s our time to shine
The enemy planes barrel into our midst
It’s a game of kill or be killed, that’s the gist
I let out my bullets in a red-hot spray
The tracers glow, and add to the fray
Then a shot to my fuel tank, the smoke pours out
The flames erupt, burn hot, I give a shout
Burning alive is no way to die
So I grab my pistol, one shot, goodbye
To Be Continued…
Sky Photo by M.B. Henry – for more sky shots, click here.
Next up on the WWI Aviator series – American Ace and “Balloon Buster” Frank Luke!
But first…
M.B. Henry On Hiatus!
It’s been a very busy summer in our new home state of Indiana! Plus, things are picking up with my novel debut, now titled “All the Lights Above Us,” scheduled for release in May of 2022. Therefore, I need to take a short break from the website to get all my little writing duckies in a row. But I will be back after Labor Day to continue with the WWI Aviator Series, and to visit all of your lovely blogs. Until then – be safe out there! Keep in touch on Twitter and Instagram – Handle @mbhenry1985
Congratulations on getting your book published! How very exciting!
Thanks so much! 🙂
Oh wow…
So glad you enjoyed it 🙂
Another powerful poem, MB. Good luck with your writing during the next few weeks!
Thanks – I’ll need it!
Have a great summer writing!
Wow! You really know how to focus our attention. 🤔👍🙄
LOL! 🙂 I try my best!
M.B.,…this is amazing! Your words came to life in my mind. You have such a gift. I’m so blessed to read it! 🙌🏻💚
Thanks so much friend, I’m so glad you enjoyed it
You’re so welcome! I hope you are having a great start to your week, M.B. Sending you peace and hugs.
Most excellent, can’t wait to read your book!
Yay! Hope you like it! March is coming up fast!
I could almost hear the bullets and feel the heat. Love your writing! 😊👏
Thanks so much! Hope you’re doing well and enjoying the nice weather the last few days! 🙂
Hi, MB. I was out on the trails this morning enjoying the cooler temps. Doesn’t feel like August at all. Hope your writing is going well. 😁
Wonderful, MB – and great news about your novel! Well done!!! Whilst I know your evocative poem is about WW1, it reminded me of ‘High Flight’, written by a RCAF pilot, John Magee. You probably know it – ‘Oh, I have slipped the surly bonds of earth’ – ending with, “…Put out my hand and touched the face of God.”
Definitely have read High Flight – a very moving poem. Thanks for the reminder of it – with your mention I went and read it again. So good!
We’ll miss you the rest of the summer.
Thanks Lee! 🙂 Can’t wait to catch up on your poetry when I can
I’m glad you brought this back. Love it!
🙂 Yay!
This was great. I love your message in that poem. The message is so direct and personal. I could see the poor guy in the plane, and feel his agony. Thank you!
WWI pilots definitely had a rough go of it! Can’t imagine the guts it took to fly those planes around in those conditions.
Agreed!
Your poetry is always moving. I am able to picture in my mind the scene you have written. I look forward September and the continuation of your series. Thank you for sharing your amazing talent with us.
Glad you enjoyed it!
So, my first attempt at a comment disappeared. Here goes. Your poetry is always moving. I can picture the scene you create. This one is amazing. Thank you for sharing your talent with us. I look forward to September and more of this series!
Good work here and good news on the book
🙂 Many thanks!
Good luck with settling in your new home and with the book publication, M.B.!
Thanks much!
Cannot wait for the book!! Whoop!
Me neither! I’m both excited and very nervous!
Enjoy your time away — I know you’ll be productive. And thanks for letting us know what you’re up to. Disappearing bloggers can be a worry!
Definitely trying to be productive despite a very busy summer! 🙂
Heartfelt poem.
Congratulations with the book.
Many thanks!
Writing a novel is such a big thing AND getting published is a wow MB. When did you start writing the book? Hoping for success ❤
Hey! Thanks so much 🙂 I started writing it a couple years ago, then when I finished I took it through the query trenches and got an agent. This link has more info about it if you’re interested – https://mb-henry.com/allthelightsaboveus/
Thanks. Writing is the easy part you realise after trying to find a publisher and negotiating your way through the edits and suck. Good on you MB 👍😁
Yes that was definitely the harder part haha!
Congrats on setting the date – are you done writing and getting through the edit?
Yep! It’s all out of my hands now which is both a relief and terrifying 🙂 🙂
I love the cover of the book – instantly evocative! Best of luck!
Thanks so much!! <3
Sorry I missed this earlier, M.B.! I’m so excited about your novel – can’t wait for a copy. I look forward to more of your poem.
Thanks so much! 🙂
Dramatic piece, as always, with much to think about.
P.S. The book cover looks A-MAZ-ING!
Yes they did such a good job on that cover! It blew me away when I first saw it 🙂 🙂
impressive poem MB! Checked out your novel link, great cover and summary … I know it will be well written like all your posts … congrats!
🙂 Thanks so much, I’m both nervous and excited for the release!
no need to be nervous, I’m sure it will be well read!
Beautiful poem – thanks for sharing!
Thanks for reading – I’m very glad you liked it
Thanks for sharing. I read many of your blog posts, cool, your blog is very good.