Oh I have slipped the surly bonds of earth

And danced the skies on laughter silvered wings

Sun ward I've climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth

Of sunspot 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.

by
John G. Magee