High Flight (poem for the Columbia astronauts)

none ^ | December 1941 | John G. Magee

[deaconblues]

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. Hovering 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 windswept 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.

In December 1941, Pilot Officer John G. Magee, a 19-year-old American serving with the Royal Canadian Air Force in England, was killed when his Spitfire collided with another airplane inside a cloud. Several months before his death, he composed his immortal sonnet High Flight a copy of which he fortunately mailed to his parents in the U.S.A.

[deaconblues]

This is the poem that Reagan read at the memorial service for the Challenger astronauts, I thought it was fitting today. My sincere apologies if it has already been posted.

[IronJack]

My favorite poem. And a fitting tribute to those who dare the shouting winds.

[Geezerette]

Thank you for posting.

Beautiful and fitting tribute.

g

[oldvike]

I wonder if anybody around here has an audio of President Reagan reading that poem?

[XBob]

Beautiful and fitting tribute

[XBob]

"Beautiful and fitting tribute."

I just couldn't say it any better.

[deaconblues]

"I wonder if anybody around here has an audio of President Reagan reading that poem?"

Actaully I believe he only read a couple of lines from the poem, at the service.

[Tax-chick]

We had this poem on the wall when I was growing up.

There was also a picture of the wreckage of an airplane, with the caption, "Aviation in itself is not inherently dangerous; but, to an even greater degree than the sea, it is terribly unforgiving of any carelessness, incapacity, or neglect."

[oldvike]

Here's his speech immediately after the accident

[serinde]

Thanks for posting this. It is very appropriate.

[TomB]

I was just going to post this. It was the very first thing I thought of when I heard the news.

[PhiKapMom]

One of my favorite poems as well!

God be with the families and friends of the astronauts and God welcome the astronauts into his arms!

[yoe]

They are among the Quite Birdmen now, mounted into the realms beyond the reach of Keewee and Modock....

[pt17]

My favorite poem. And a fitting tribute to those who dare the shouting winds

My father introduced me to this poem when he came home from WWII. He had just taken me up in a Stearman for my first plane ride as a little boy so I understood it's meaning. It was the only recitation at his funeral and hangs on a plaque in my office today. And, yes, it is a fitting tribute for those who have topped the windswept heights to touch the face of God. The tears are running down my face.

[JimRed]

Teary eyed bump.

[Humal]

deaconblues,
No need for apologies. I appreciate your posting this. It was requested on another post, and I have spent the last 10 minutes looking for it. Thank you.

[luckymom]

This beautiful poem was my Dad's favorite as well. He was a pilot in WWII, and it was read at his funeral. Perfect.

[hardhead]

Before television became a platform for the bizarre and the immoral, and when it was okay to mention the name of God, this often closed out the day for the local TV stations. It is, no doubt, one of the most beautiful ever written and, fittingly, by someone who gave his all. God bless the Columbia crew, God bless and give strength to their families, God bless America, and God bless our President.

[Brett66]

[DoctorMichael]

.....apologies.....

None necessary.

Thanks!