To Be Afraid

To know each day that this may be the last,
that from this flight your friend may not return;
to fly with him though you are far apart
and feel for him each shock and blast,
to be beside him in the flames that burn—
this is to know the lonely heart.

Although for you the lovely sky
is cruel a mistress as to him
because together her you serve,
yet you forget that you may die—
you know cold fear when eyes grow dim
because his plane may be that flaming curve....