The Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome

THE OLD RHINEBECK AERODROME

By Eric Seddon

Crosses, pelicans, storks, and old whiskey ads

Echo in reply to the mechanical music of

Zeppelin, Spad, Sopwith, Fokker,

Their miraculous alloy of air and machine.

Arthurian names of Richtofen, Guynemer,

Fonck, Eddie Rickenbacker:

War was still personal, still declared,

Pilots made newspapers, knights beyond gravity;

The aerial choreography of reconnaissance,

Resistance, close combat.

The last frontier of chivalry, the last

Time hats were tipped, respect known

For enemies, an age before death became

Raw data. When warfare depended

Upon young daring, stripped of caste

United by boldness, talent,

And skill. Revolutions in the clouds

Romance in sacrifice, I visit to remind

Myself of things our world forgot.

Dogfight reenactment at the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome, Sept. 2013
Photo: Eric Seddon