The Big White Bird

Image: John Dibbs

I saw the Toulouse roll-out
Of Concorde 001
When French and British makers
Raised a glass as one
Entente Concordiale
In that place was sealed
As out the massive hangar
The big white bird was wheeled
I kept up with her progress
As the excitement grew
And cheered on that first take-off
But never on her flew
In the years that followed
Of supersonic fame
She captured all the headlines
And worldwide went her name
The stars and business flyers
At twice the speed of sound
Sipping first class Champagne
As they were New York bound
Yet then there came retirement
Return to Filton due
I watched her swoop past Clevedon
But never on her flew.