That was where he wanted to be if he had to be there at all, instead of hung out there in front like some goddam cantilevered goldfish in some goddam cantilevered goldfish bowl while the goddam foul black tiers of flak were bursting and booming and billowing all around and above and below him in a climbing, cracking, staggered, banging, phantasmagorical, cosmological wickedness that jarred and tossed and shivered, clattered and pierced, and threatened to annihilate them all in one splinter of a second in one vast flash of fire.
The character expresses a deep desire to be anywhere but exposed and vulnerable in his current situation. He feels trapped, likening himself to a goldfish in a bowl, fully aware of the chaos and danger surrounding him. Instead of being in this precarious position, he longs for a sense of safety, reminiscing about where he would prefer to be if he had a choice.
The vivid imagery of flying through a storm of flak conveys a sense of overwhelming fear and confusion. The descriptions of sound and chaos highlight the mental turmoil he experiences, showcasing the intense pressure of combat and the constant threat to his existence. This turmoil emphasizes the absurdity and danger of war, capturing the emotional struggle of those caught in such circumstances.
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