For a Downed Airman

(US Air Force photo)

Spring Memory

For Ted Crumb

Nov. 24, 1946-April 14, 1999

My brother rode motorcycles

like a howling wind bending

trees to his pleasure

He dove from helicopters

like an osprey into the ocean

to rescue downed pilots

When his swift cycle crashed

into a farm tractor

no one could save him

Eighteen springs ago

veteran paramedic died in a ditch

Just miles from home

--Jan Barry