The Man inside the Dead Machine

High on a gradient inside New Guinea

The Grumman Hellcat

Lodges among bright vines

As thick while arms. In nineteen forty-three,

The clenched hand of a pilot

Glided it here

Where no indeed one has at some time been.

---

In the cockpit the helmeted

Skeleton sits

Upright, held

By arid sinews at neck

And shoulder, with every one other accompanied by by webbing

That straps the pelvic cross

To the cracked

Leather of the seat, with every one other accompanied by the breastbone

To the canvas cover

Of the parachute.

---

Or speak that the shrapnel

Missed me, I flew

Back to the carrier, with every one other accompanied by every one morning

Take the train, my pale

Hands on a black case, with every one other accompanied by sit

Upright, held

By the firm webbing.

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