Ditch the ads, upload images and much more - upgrade today from 5.95/month!
Read • Contests • Groups • Learn • Forums • Store • Help
 

A Second Chance

   
                          Squadron Leader Liaquat Khan DFC (Distinguished Flying Cross)
                          Royal Indian Air force
                          British Bengal Presidency
                          (1914-1944)
                     
In nineteen hundred forty
when Great Britain was burning.
I fell in love with a British WAAF girl.
The day Saint Paul cathedral was burning
We were seeing each other’s face in that fire.
I flew my RAF spitfire with her photograph.
Then one evening I found her being unfaithful.
My heart was broken and everything fell apart.
Every night when I went to intercept the enemy fighters
I wish it would be my last flight.
But my destiny was not supposed to kill me.
So I survived the Battle of Britain
As I was a Bengali I went back to Bengal
after the Japanese invasion of Burma
just to meet my final love.
I met a Bengali girl of RIAF
and another love story started.
I flew everyday on the Burmese sky
now I want to live for my beloved.
I have no more death wishes.
On a sunny day of
Nineteen hundred forty Four
I was flying back to her.
Two Japanese zeros followed me.
My Spitfire was on fire.
I prayed to God.
“Not today. Give me a second chance”.

Author notes

Sabir Abdus Samee
RAF: Royal Air Force
RIAF: Royal Indian Air Force
WAAF: Women's Auxiliary Air Force
Spitfire: British fighter
Zero: Japanese fighter

After writing this poem (a day or two) I watched a movie called “The Purple Plain”. Gregory Peck starred in that movie. It was about Canadian Pilot of the British Royal Air Force whose wife died in an air raid in London,UK. He wanted to die but later he met a Burmese girl in British Burma who became his reason to live.However that movie had a happy ending.

A contest entry

Please tell me what you think

    : , Your review:

    Comment Suggestion: What is your your first impression?
    • Line numbers  • Invite them to read
    : no Cost: 0 free left 0 points, You have (?)

Comments

1 - 11 of 11
  • Kuranya gold member
    August 28, 2008

    Edit | Reply
    This is a great piece, without a true ending leaving the interpretation of what happened in the end to the reader. Well done on an interesting piece and best to you


  • earthstar
    October 9, 2007

    Edit | Reply
    Very well done the content is great. I like how you left it open ended. The author notes help us to understand what is going on in the write. I like how you took time to capture what many miss. Very well done. It almost like a newspaper writer giving us a glimpse into history. Love happens at any time in a person life. Great job.


  • They Say Shannon
    September 13, 2007

    Edit | Reply
    "In nineteen hundred forty when Great Britain was burning.
    I fell in love with a British WAAF girl."

    There shouldn't be a period after burning because the sentance after supports it, so they should be combined.

    "The day Saint Paul cathedral was burning
    we were seeing each other’s face in that fire."

    I'm thinking you should also have a comma here, after 'burning.'

    "As I was a Bengali I went back to Bengal
    after the Japanese invasion of Burma
    just to meet my final love."

    Those lines are sort of awkward. They don't flow with the correct punctuation or words that connect them such as, 'and, but, etc.'

    The ending was very nice. :] I liked how it was hopeful.

    Great job and thanks for entering! Good luck.


  • Turtledove
    September 9, 2007

    Edit | Reply

    Excellent Story & write

    I liked this the first time and this time, but this time there are no line restrictions! Thanks for re-entering one of my contests. Good luck! Walt.


  • Turtledove
    September 8, 2007
    Edit | Reply

    historic

    Well, you are over the number of lines; only supposed to use 10. Didn't need your resume first; wish it weren't there. The poem stands great on its own. Loved the story behind it. Will have to DQ it because it is too long. Regretably. Thanks for entering. Hope you and your fans don't get too upset with me; but rules are rules. Thanks; matie. Walt.

  • Farha11
    September 7, 2007

    Edit | Reply
    LOL. see, not only me; other regular readers of your poems also think that "as with ALL your poems, about love" hmm. this was good, well done.


  • dubiety
    September 7, 2007
    Edit | Reply

    Sticks

    to the contextual knowledge, well done; as with ALL your poems, about love

1 - 11 of 11