Title: | The grave of John Gillespie Magee, Jr - writer of 'High Flight' |
Author: | P. M. Fenwick |
Date: | May 2016 |
Comments: | The writer of the most famous aviation poem of all time and, surely, the most famous poem of WWII. There's a wealth of information about John Magee and his famous sonnet on the internet for those who would like to know more. Aged just 19, John, a Spitfire pilot with the RCAF, was killed in a tragic flying accident soon after writing 'High Flight'. He is buried in a war grave in a beautifully tranquil spot at Holy Cross Cemetery, Scopwick, Lincolnshire. The sonnet has long been a favourite of mine. You can read the first and last lines on his grave (see photo). Here it is in full: High Flight - by P/O John Gillespie Magee RCAF 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, nor 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
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