The Fighter Pilot Poem by Victoria Hughes

“He flew the planes in the war.”
That’s what she said to me,
“I was so saddened that
For taking him out for a cigarette
He thanked me.

This Hero who saved us
So that we could live and be free,
That for taking him out
From his hospital bed
He was so grateful to me.

I wanted so much to thank him
For saving our lives
All those years ago
His many thanks and gratitude
I wished to forgo.”

“Do those clouds be heavy? ”
“He asked me
Sitting there in his chair.
I think so I replied
Taking in the outside air.

This man who fought
For our freedom
I wheeled him back to his bed
Knowing that really I should be
Thanking him instead.”

© Victoria Hughes 2005