With the night mail

"With the Night Mail" is a famous poem by Rudyard Kipling, published in 1912. The poem is a tribute to the Royal Air Force (RAF) and its pilots, who were then known as "aerial postmen" or "night mailmen" due to their role in delivering mail by air.

The poem is written in a lyrical and imaginative style, describing the journey of a night mail plane as it flies over the British countryside, carrying mail and packages to distant destinations. The poem is full of vivid imagery and symbolism, with Kipling using the night mail plane as a metaphor for the power and majesty of the RAF.

Here's an excerpt from the poem:

"Through the night, with the night mail, From the wide world afar, Through the night, with the night mail, To the farthest star."

The poem is known for its beautiful language and its celebration of the bravery and skill of the RAF pilots. It has become a classic of British literature and is still widely read and admired today.

Interestingly, the poem was written in response to a request from the RAF to write a poem about their work. Kipling was a well-known and respected poet at the time, and his poem was seen as a way to promote the RAF and its role in the British military.

Overall, "With the Night Mail" is a beautiful and evocative poem that celebrates the power and majesty of the RAF and its pilots. It is a testament to the enduring power of poetry to capture the imagination and inspire the human spirit.