DPChallenge: A Digital Photography Contest You are not logged in. (log in or register
 
Challenge Entries
This image is not a part of any challenge.
Portfolio Images
This image is not part of a public portfolio.
High Flight
High Flight
xianart


Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Date Uploaded: Mar 12, 2008

Viewed: 205
Comments: 3
Favorites: 0

High Flight
Pilot Officer Gillespie Magee
No 412 squadron, RCAF
Killed 11 December 1941

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 untresspassed sanctity of space,
Put out my hand and touched the face of God.

My father planned his own funeral (something everyone should do - we didn't have to think about a thing, just handed the order of service to the organist and the minister), and this was the poem he chose. he was a pianist, not a pilot, but i guess the music let him fly.

Please log in or register to add your comments!

AuthorThread
03/12/2008 06:29:42 PM
Such a moving verse, always brings a tear to my eyes! And what a great capture, I love how the streams of clouds converge on the flock of birds; perfect :-)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/12/2008 05:40:14 PM
Beautiful. The spirit of your image and words reminds me of my own post for today, also one of soaring birds. This is quite touching, and must have been a gift to you that your father had such foresight.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
03/12/2008 10:13:56 AM
Truly inspiring!! Thanks for sharing.
  Photographer found comment helpful.


Home - Challenges - Community - League - Photos - Cameras - Lenses - Learn - Help - Terms of Use - Privacy - Top ^
DPChallenge, and website content and design, Copyright © 2001-2025 Challenging Technologies, LLC.
All digital photo copyrights belong to the photographers and may not be used without permission.
Current Server Time: 07/21/2025 11:35:47 AM EDT.