The Day We Saw the Blue Angels Fly - A Poem

A poem about the amazing Naval air-stunt team, the Blue Angels, who I saw fly twice, but who captured me both times.

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Dedicated to my cousin, Andrew, for whom I originally wrote this, and to the hero that we saw fly that day.

My cousins, my uncle, my grandpa, and I

With my aunt to the museum went;

There we saw the Blue Angels fly,

And in awe our time was spent.

Over us all they flew above,

Unafraid of the heights they explored.

It gives me chills just thinking of

the way that each speeding jet soared.

Through the sky they fleetingly flew,

Like rocketing birds of the clouds -

Each was just a flash of blue,

To amazement of all in the crowds.

Loudly rioted air against wing

As they spiraling spaceward blazed,

Trailing a white, billowing string

When to the stars their focus was raised.

Hours passed in a moment's glance,

While from excitement we were chained

With each turn, and swerve, and dance

Of the blue, brilliant planes.

And though brief was our visit there,

Remember always will I

The day we went to the museum of air,

And saw the Blue Angels fly.

What did you think? Did you ever see the Blue Angels? Were you as riveted as I? I was so excited - little did I know, though, that day, that I had gotten the autograph of a hero upon my Blue Angels picture; Angel #5. Only a month or so after I saw them perform in Florida he died, crashing his plane with him in it instead of ejecting, so as to save the building of people that was in the course of his stunt plane. I had intended this as a light-hearted poem originally, just written for my cousin's poetry recital contest at school, but that hard piece of news a month later gave the poem a new meaning to me. I'm glad I wrote it, and I'm keeping it. I only hope that it does just honor to the pilot who gave his life as a Blue Angel. I'm putting it on here as a memorial not just for him, but for all military members who serve at a cost... even the ones in stunt planes save lives.