Just ran across this, and recalled it's one of my favorites...

[alexpgp]

High Flight

Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of earth
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;
Sunward 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 sunlit silence. Hov'ring 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 even 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, Jr.

Comments

John Gillespie Magee, Jr.

[cg07446.livejournal.com]

Beautiful words from one whose life was tragically ended at such a young age.

Thank you ...

[taiyosan.livejournal.com]

it too, is one of my favorites. As an Air Force brat, i have seen it often over the decades in many an AF building where pilots come and go ... it is beautiful!

[brenk.livejournal.com]

Great way to start the day, and thanks. Trying to stop my fingers hovering over Google to find more, now...