Luftwaffe
Chalcedony cliffs lap the rime,
crouching against breakers paused
as though in time
[tonight the stars are shining bright].
And above, we carve the skies
as iron-armored gods of men -
lay claim the Pleiades;
lay waste the enemy's last bastions.
Ice-crystals catch our wings
[designed to out-turn and outmaneuver
intruders in our skies],
reflecting light so cold and pure
the Hyades erase half-gutted groundfires.
We cluster like knights in formation,
noses pointed to the Northern Star
as our crusade unfurls beneath us.
Divine retribution rises, implacable, across city and harbor
as incendiaries pierce their cloudy pall;
even the water drowns helplessly
in saltpeter and oil from broken warships.
We bank towards Rigel and retrace M31
[invisible and silent, we are circling overland].
Time now, time again
to return to the machine.
Secured in power and terror
we may fold our wings in divine slumber.
And below, snow settles on the sea ice
and snow drapes the cliffs,
welding land to ocean.
[11-15-1940, tonight the stars are shining bright.]
Destiny Knight Community Member 
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Community Member
Not to my personal taste perhaps, as I have little interest in poems on war or battle or similar matters.
Your poem is very nicely written though.
I like the use of the contrast between the machinery and the landscape.
It's all done quite well.
Just out of curiosity though, are you a poem critic?
It's just that you write poetry, and I've noticed you citiquing others' poetry...
And I wondered...