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 wind -swept heights with easy grace
Where never lark , or even eagle flew - - - - and,
While with silent lifting mind I?ve trod
The high , un- trespassed sanctity of space,
Put out my hand and touched the Face of God.

Written by John Gillespie Magee Jr., a Canadian Spitfire Pilot, who was shot down in 1941, and is buried in the Churchyard at Soopwick, Lincs., with other R.A.F.Aircrew.

Submitted by Dorothy Perry.