War Machine

"Pilots can you read me?” then I hear the click.
“There’s no more doubt.
We are headed out.
Don’t let your life end quick.”
As I turn on all my engines,
and I see how they are set.
There is tension, fear, and quiet
but never real regret.

As the hangar bay creaks open,
empty space fills up my screen.
I can see the motion and the sway
of our massive war machine.
We know it takes us through the stars.
It carries us so safely
I carry with me my memoirs.
As our shell rocks so sedately.

Flashing spinning lights above
indicate it's time to leave.
The low thrum, as the engines hum,
is hard to misconceive.

I test the controls,
as information scrolls
and set my course away.
We have our goal,
we know the toll,
we launch into the fray.