Ted Seastrom

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 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.

 
"High Flight"
by John Gillespie Magee

Image license: iStock