Poetic Education #26

A Galactic Spectacle (by NASA Goddard)

"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 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.