Since it's Poetry Month...

[next_to_normal]

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.

(This is the poem I read at my uncle's memorial service. I kind of wanted to share it then, because I love it, but I didn't want to make it into a "memorial post" kind of thing, so... Poetry Month, yay.)

Comments

[petzipellepingo.livejournal.com]

Years ago, there used to be a commercial or PSA with that verse and a flying plane that was shown when the television stations signed off for the day.

[next_to_normal]

Huh, I didn't know that. Most people seem to recognize it from when Reagan quoted it after the Challenger.

[playfuldancer.livejournal.com]

Very nice poem, beautiful images.