emoove (tony) writes:

Although I appreciated reading this, the mental attitude it suggests is
inconsistant with most pilots I've been privilged to know.

My thoughts flow more to how amasingly lucky I have been to live my life in
these times.

I don't think the attitude expressed in your last sentence is
inconsistent with the attitude of the poem. It is our willingness to
understand and accept the ambiguity and apparent meaninglessness of
life which leads us to finally truly appreciate what we have.

As youths many of us believe the cliches about how to succeed and be
happy, but at some point we cannot ignore the lessons of reality
itself:

"I again saw under the sun that the race is not to the swift
and the battle is not to the warriors, and neither is bread to the
wise nor wealth to the discerning nor favor to men of ability; for
time and chance overtake them all." Ecclesiastes 9:11

There are those who refuse to acknowledge this, and continue to
believe in a Disneyland version of life. Others do see reality but
become bitter and cynical at its seeming unfairness. And finally some
accept life as it is, and are grateful for what they have, knowing
that "time and chance overtake them all."