“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 . . .
Up, up the long, delirious, burning blue
I’ve topped the wind-swept 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 [sought the shekinah glory] of God.”
We trust your flying this year was inspiring and wish your best dreams of flight become a reality in the New Year.
In memory of the author: John Gillespie Magee, Jr. (b. June 9, 1922 – d. December 11, 1941); an American aviator with RCAF and son of Christian Missionaries.