"SHEEP MAY SAFELY GRAZE"

An Allegory

'And sheep are grazing on the landing ground'*
They do not heed the engines throb above
So ominous: the winging of a dove
They like to think; or say it is the sound
of passing thunder. Though the crew have found
Their base, and, in the evening light,
Must come to earth or crash into the night
The sheep refuse the tougher grass around.

There is no shepherd, gas is running low,
The sheep will see their peril far too late.
Yet who can blame them? They can never know:
When they and aircrew perish it is fate.

Its not your fault? Alright ,forget and dance!
But Homo "sapiens"! Ye Gods, what arrogance!

JMT 1944
* Extract from aerial photo intelligence report