Oh, I have slipped the surly bonds
Of earth and danced the skies on
Laughter’s silvered wings:
Sunward I’ve climbed and joined the
Tumbling mirth of sun-split clouds…
And done a hundred things
You have not yet dreamed of.
Wheeled and soared and swung high
In the sunlit silence.
Hovering there I’ve chased the shouting
Winds along and slung 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 un-trespassed sanctity
Of space, put out my hand,
And touched the face of God.
---John Gilespie Magee, Jr.