It could be a tiger moth,
It could be a Wellington
Hurricane or Spitire.
Seventy-six different ‘planes
SHE flew during the war,
This lady of the air.
Her life in the air was wonderful,
“In the air you are on your own
and when I was up there
I could play with the clouds”.
Now you are free to fly forever
As your Spirit will be above us,
Flying through the ether,
In joy and wonderment
And in absolute freedom.
Being an ATA pilot was fantastic," Mary Ellis recalled.
"Up in the air on your own. And you can do whatever you like. I flew 400 Spitfires. And occasionally I would take one up and go and play with the clouds.
"I would like to do it all over again. There was a war on but otherwise it was absolutely wonderful."
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Author:
Goldfinch60 (Pseudonym) (
Offline) - Published: July 27th, 2018 01:45
- Comment from author about the poem: Mary Ellis was an ATA pilot who flew aeroplanes from the manufacturers to the airfields where they would be used in the second world war. She died on 26th July 2018 aged 101. Fly In Peace Mary.
- Category: Reflection
- Views: 20
Offline)
Comments10
I know it is a second Sinatra song on the trot but this one is so apt for this fine lady.
You crooning?! Did we ever join Frank and Bing Crosby in our singing? A fine write and tribute Gold.
just don't give me Daniel O'Donnell or I shall die of boredom!
No but we did join Thomas Tallis once in his 40 part motet but he didn’t like it going up to 42 parts with our dull voices.
Definitely would be a feeling that you'd never forget.
Nicely done
Very true, I could enjoy playing with clouds. Thank you Dan.
Too bad she had to live for so long after all the wonders ....... she must have missed that life badly.
She was still being honoured about it this year, an amazing woman.
And what a fine lady - she deserves all the accolades.
She certainly does Michael.
Great write. I've never flew in a plane as of yet. Guess that makes me behind many. Enjoyed the flight!
Thank you Heartwriter, the last airliner I flew in was back in the 1960s. My ex work colleague used to fly his own two seater plane and I went up with him once a few years, I believe he is still trying to get the indents out of the dashboard where I was hanging on for grim death.
I shan't tire if u play more sinatra. I have high regard for his singing and learned so much from him. Limited range and amazing phrasing.
Great piece today G. A fine tribute to those brave ladies piloting all sorts of aircraft without ammunition in wartime.
Sinatra, in spite of his limited range, knew a great deal about music. Many years ago one of my mates who I had the odd pint with was in the navy and for some reason they were in New York and as he was walking along the street he and his mates were approached and given some money to go to a theatre where a young man was singing, they were asked to cheer him, that man was Sinatra.
Thank you da, yes those ladies are only now being understood for what they achieved. Mary Eliis said she was under fire once and it may have been friendly fire. Brave ladies.
Hello Goldfinch60.
Thanks for a splendid poem and a beautiful tribute to Mary Ellis.
Keep writing
FineB
Thank you FineB, much appreciated.
A wonderful tribute. I wish I was as brave as this lady!
Thank you Christina. So do I.
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