Vulcan bombers roar overhead
shards of white porcelain
the anger of their jets
seems to crack the sky
they pitch into a steep climb
blue fades to black
as they leave behind the earth
the last wisps of air
spiral from deltawingtips
they bank and slide into orbit
until over their target
space-checklist complete
pilot advances the throttles
rockets ignite soundlessly
Vulcan bombers stoop from orbit
leading-edges burning brightly
the violence of their return
seems to sunder the heavens
