HERE COME THE SNOWBIRDS! Royal Canadian Air Force

HERE COME THE SNOWBIRDS! Royal Canadian Air Force Taking off together in a golden afternoon, Nine Tutors in formation, destination Saskatoon. To bring a message to our land from those who keep us free, The sky their mighty centre stage – Canada for thee! Here come The Snowbirds! comes the call, heads turn around as one. Searching the horizon, eyes shaded from the sun. Proud to be Canadian, all wanting first to see A shining symbol for our land, sea to sea to sea. All that we can be Small dots in the distance turning in to make their run. Nine abreast the Snowbirds come, bright twinkling lights turned on. And then the roar as up they soar, Canada Burst on high. Gone in all directions, trails of smoke left in the sky. Amid the sudden silence, strong emotions there among, Wonder from the older, new ambitions for the young. Earthbound mortals filled with awe for those who own the sky, Their mission for their country, celebrate and unify. Joining back together, lead keeps the forward view, While those who trail four feet apart know what they have to do. Move into a sacred space, cling fiercely to that zone, Trusting in their comrades’ skill, believing in their own. So Canadian the Snowbirds that sometimes less is more. The little trainer Tutors trump the mighty birds of war. Thrilled our eyes and won our hearts for more than fifty years, Far more likely than their kin to bring a crowd to tears. - 2 - The pilots know their lives depend on those who wait below, Technicians the magicians who make the Tutors go. The bonds that form will last until all climb that final sky, And then may last forever in that place where no-one dies. Screaming noise and trails of smoke so quickly fade away, But the Snowbirds of tomorrow may be in the crowd today, To follow the example of those they come to love, Who dance among the angels in the azure sky above. Snowbirds trusting their machines and in each other’s skill. Head on passes thrill the crowd and cause the blood to chill. White contrails and silver wings, majesty on high, A fitting benediction - a heart shape in the sky! With skill and nerve they represent the best that we can be. They celebrate our country, from sea to shining sea. We thrill to watch them climb the sky and mourn them if they fall, A symbol of our nation’s pride, a beacon for us all! We thrill to watch them climb the sky and mourn them if they fall, A symbol of our nation’s pride, a beacon for us all! Ellis Pringle Craig March 2023.