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This image captures a U.S. Navy McDonnell Douglas F-4J Phantom II fighter (BuNo 155870) from Fighter Squadron VF-92, with the tail code "NG", lining up to land on the aircraft carrier USS Constellation (CVA-64) in 1972. The scene is from a famous painting by Philip E. West titled "Silver Kite 211". 

Come back, my pilgrim, from the salt-black sea, From vows I broke and gods that flee. I kept your breath encased in gold, Come back, my love, come back, my soul.

Come back, my stranger, from the broken bread, From beds of silk for the living dead. I bound my heart in a forsaken scroll, Come back, my love, come back, my soul.

Come back, my saint, from the iron dusk, From borrowed crowns and holy rust. I lived too long in a phantom’s mould, Come back, my love, come back, my soul.

Come back, my love, and take your throne, Not made of marble, but made of bone. Let shadows bow, let their eyes behold, Come back, my love, come back, my soul.

Come back, my love, and lift my face, Teach me again that I have a place. Not in their hymns, not in my role, Come back, my love, come back, my soul.

Come back, my soul, and let me rise, Put new blue fire behind my eyes. If Heaven’s closed, new paths unfold, Come back, my soul, come back, my soul.

Featured image adapted from a photo by Ryunosuke Kikuno See more on Unsplash: @ryunosuke_kikuno

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