High Flight
Oh, I have slipped the surly bonds of earth,
And danced the skies on laughter-
Sunward I’ve climbed and joined the tumbling mirth
Of sun-
You have not dreamed of; wheeled and soared and swung
High in the sun-
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-
Where never lark nor 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