A  Night Rembered

The night was cool the moon was high
Search lights crisscrossing against the sky
Probing the stars with its ruthless beam
To catch the enemy within its gleam

Wailing air raid sirens began to sound
People stream to shelters underground
Evading adults I kept out of sight
So not to be stopped to watch the fight

Above the fires the sky an angry red
Making the heavens pink smoke overhead
Saw brilliant specks of flashing light
Anti aircraft shells exploding the night

The heavy drones of planes fill the skies
I shield with my hand to shade my eyes
See Heinkels Dornier’s from the glow
Semi - illuminated in the street below

Watch a Hurricane climb for height
From out of nowhere to join the fight
A Heinkel with engine all aflame
Chased by Hurricane’s perfect aim

Awaiting explosions hold my breath
Inevitably it came with certain death?
A burst of light smoke before mine eyes
Added to the destruction and demise

High in the heavens see with my eye
Long vapours trailing through the sky
At times through a gap - a star will glow
In whirls of dark smoke the fighters go

The warring sounds left a sombre pall
The barrage balloons still pink stand tall
One balloon drifts through a broken cloud
Then the all clear came strong and loud

The fighter boys were all so very brave
Need show a little of their courage they gave
It’s not that I didn’t feel any shame
For worrying my mom I am to blame

Beryl McMullen