Index poe0011 Genre Poetry Author Desmond Tarrant Date 23.08.01 Title ‘Battle of Britain’ Battle of Britain Many winged years have now flown briefly by Since young men gathered in that crowded sky, And played around the tombstones of the sky To gamble with their flesh as at the fair. As pennies at the fair will slide to bring A prize of sixpence for another fling So the bright wings went roaring down the skies For moments stark of truth beyond all lies. Laughter echoed loud through the valleys of the cloud. But in their mountain peaks Death donned his shroud As hurricanes of fire spat. Only loss In triumph perched upon the broken cross, Around Man’s neck the friendly albatross. And yet those young do seem to fly there still For ever banking round a downy hill, A throng just winging going not to kill, But simply playing in the sun-beamed air Without a flying glance at Vanity Fair.