-Pilot Officer John Gillespie Magee, Jr.-
And danced the dkies 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 even eagle flew--
And while with silent lifting mind I've trod
The high untresspassed sanctity of space,
Put out my hand and touched the face of God.