Dedicated to my AIRMAN High Flight Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of the 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 winds 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. John Gillespie Magee, Jr.