Exploring the relationships that shape our identities, Ray Holmes' debut poetry collection delves into the complexities of family dynamics, friendships, and romantic connections experienced in youth. Through both familiar and metaphorical landscapes, the poems invite readers to reflect on how these formative experiences influence adult perspectives and perceptions of the world.
"SKY SPY" is the enthralling autobiography of Ray Holmes, who joined the RAF Volunteer Reserve in 1936 and graduated from pupil to fully fledged fighter pilot, flying instructor and photo-reconnaissance pilot during the Second World War. His was a varied war, flying many different tupes of aircraft in a wide assortment of situations. Most notable, however, were his sorties in the Hurricane and later, the Spitfire. In the Hurricane, he was the first fighter pilot to shoot down a German bomber over London during the Battle of Britain. He flew sweeps over France, protecting convoys, and was sent out to Murmansk for five months to teach the Russians how to fly Hurricanes. On his return from Soviet Russia he became involved in photographic reconnaissance, photographing targets far into German from six miles high in his specially equipped Spitfire. As the war drew to a close, the author flew as King's Messenger for Winston Churchill to Berlin where Churchill was planning the Potsdam Conference. He finally left the RAF with an unusual souvenir of his visit to this city --- a brass candelabrum from Hitler's Chancellery. Written with tremendous verve, "SKY SPY" stands head and shoulders above the average wartime memoir.
I have not written all my life, although I glanced anxiously at the amusement pages. Announcing it with a triumphing voice, I remember having seen at my house, through the fence's bars, four Angel missionaries. From the inside of my house my father gave a murmur of profound satisfaction. There was one that constituted a cohesion element, a thread that maintained me tied to my progenitor, anxious necessity of a naïve and edifying book of the old clergyman. It corresponded to my waiting, always trusting and rewarding. There were no mixed words. The have shown me they could exist. The archpriest's strange case is not unknown. The list of my unnecessary relatives has not been missing. They form a part of my most careful habits, opening an abyss under our feet. However, it was a highly conservative play, ill-fated influence of modernism, site of the great way, mirror of my portrait, lovely star, worshipped sovereign who is to change one day. When my father discovered the angels, a violent quarrel exploded between us. Our life continued without change. The angels continued uniting us for years. My father shared his time assisted by my brothers. I was looking for a job worthy of my abilities. The angels did not demand of me to perform any unreasonable activities.
The story follows Padraig O'Leary, who embarks on a hopeful journey to Scotland with his family, seeking a fresh start in a community connected to his Irish roots. However, a routine traffic stop escalates dramatically when an encounter with Sgt. Eric Burstow leads to a catastrophic incident, resulting in 17 deaths and numerous injuries. This harrowing event thrusts Padraig into a profound and ongoing learning experience, challenging his perceptions and reshaping his life.