[NicknamedBob]

High Flight
by
John Gillespie Magee, Jr.

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 ever 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.

[Covenantor]

well done sir, well done.

what a fine fit.

[ArGee]

For the very short period of time I was in AF pilot training they called going out for a flight, "Slipping the surlies."

We had to memorize "High Flight."

At that time, I had not seen this.

[Monkey Face]

When we were stationed at Yuma Proving grounds, the TV stations all signed off with that poem. It always gives me the chills!

Thanks for posting it.

[Silentgypsy]

Very dreamy....