The Bush Pilot

I had dinner with some friends last night. One of them is a pilot working for Mission Aviation Fellowship. (His blog can be found here; Biggles Abroad I so admire the work he does I thought I would pen a little something to honour it.

The Bush Pilot

They wait.
Keen eyes search the horizon
hoping for a glint of reflected sunlight.
Sharp ears filter the sounds of the bush
listening for the distant drone -
that heralds his coming.

This lifeline,
remains open where others have failed.
Some barred by conflict
others closed by weather, disasters or
just – too far from wealth,
and so he comes.

Transforming lives.
Bringing help, hope and love.
Flying people to safety.
Delivering food, medicine, equipment,
insight and encouragement
to those that need it.

Excitement soars,
a silvery light in the heavens,
approaches like an angel.
Dust, hopes and cheers rise
as the wheels touch the red earth
and the bush pilot steps down.

John Carré Buchanan
24 May 2011

Dedicated to the Pilots and Support Staff of MAF.