High Flight

High Flight

Ah, 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 swinging
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 untrespassed sanctity of space,
Put out my hand, and touched the face of God.

~ John Gillespie Magee, Jr.

From my mother's poetry notebook

As Falls The Night

As falls the night, we come
To shelter where your wings
Stretch out above the world you love
To guard all living things.

As fails the light, we seek
The fire no dark can douse.
Your lamp held high, you bid us fly
To harbor in your house.

As prowl our fears, we turn
To you in trusting prayer:
Where you abide, your children hide
Within your loving care.

All praise be yours, O God,
The home of all the blest;
Your walls of peace will never cease
To give your household rest.

~ Genevieve Glen, O.S.B.