'ARRIVALS AND DEPARTURES'

Our pilot arrived in the terminal

With the ghost of a smile lifting their sad face

Back safe on home ground now 

They assumed an authoritative pace

“The flight departing for the afterlife is now boarding

Please proceed to the ‘Over The Rainbow’ gate.”

Squaring shoulders, our pilot picked up speed

This wasn’t the time to be running late

“Hello everyone, this is your captain speaking,”

Their voice on automatic pilot rang out

As now really was the perfect time

For our pilot to calm their doubts

“We’re all taking this journey together 

That none of us bought a ticket for.

So we must all care for one another

And on me you can count for sure.”

The nose cone started slowly rising into the air

And all realised that they were on a rocket

Then with a terrific roar and a blinding glare

They soared free from mother earth’s socket

Our pilot made a solemn vow 

That he would return in future days

To fly loved ones back safe and sound 

Throughout the universe’s ways

Michael Ashby, Sidmouth

(Funeral poems for a pilot)