High Flight

Oh, I have slipped the surly bonds of earth

And danced the skies on laughter silvered wings;

Sunwards I’ve climbed and joined the tumbling mirth

Of sun-split clouds – and done a hundred things

You have not dreamed of; wheeled and soared and swung

High in the sun-lit silence. Hovering there

I’ve chased the shouting wind along, and flung

My eager craft through footless halls of air;

Up, up the long, delirious burning blue

I’ve topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace,

Where never lark or eagle flew;

And while, with silent lifting mind I’ve trod

The high untrespassed sanctity of space,

Put out my hand, and touched the face of God.

John Gillespie Magee 1922-1941