The john Gillespie

John Gillespie Magee, Jr. (1922 - 1941) was born in Shanghai, China, to an English mother and an American father. At the age of eighteen, he enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force, trained as a pilot, and was sent to England to fly a Supermarine Spitfire with the 412 Fighter Squadron. After a high altitude test flight one day, John wrote his parents a letter and enclosed a poem--this one--that test flight inspired. He was killed a few months later, when his plane collided with that of another British military
My father was a published RAF pilot and had much in common with Magee. Indeed, High Flight is a priceless work that could only be told by one who was there. My dad's poems were equally perceptive and eloquent. The tragedy of young Magee's untimely demise simply makes his poem prophetic and loaded with hope and joy and tragedy. Dr. Keith Reiss
Posted 06/25/2021 03:10 PM
Marion Sosa:
This was recited at my grandfather's funeral in 1972. He was not a pilot, but had many small planes, in which my father, in the jump seat, sisters and I used to have an occasional thrilling treat. Not many kids from Fairmont,WV could say they flew to Baltimore to get a bushel of seal point oysters. My dad smoked, and we all were proned to motion sickness. He would light a cigarette and we would just groan. The pilot, Raymond would say " for God's sake, Jim, put out the cigarette!". I NEVER got sick! Too thrilled!!!

My father had this poem read at his funeral service. It was always his favorite and his inspiration. He learned to love flying in the Army Air Corps and J.G.Macgee, Jr. captured my Dad's feelings perfectly.

MJ:
This is my favorite poem. I have had a plaque with this poem hanging in my den for many years, probably a gift when I first learned to
NHammell:
This is the only poem I remember well from my school days. It was probably the first time I realized how the sounds and shapes and rythm of words bring emotion and meaning in addition to the literal meaning. This poem still thrills me sixty years later. I hope it was some comfort to his famil
rek551:
Used to love this poem when it came on tv early in the morning before I left for school in the early 1960s, although it is best known as a sign-off at night when the tv stations would shut down for the night.
Cherry:
I hope one day I'll Put out my hand, and touched the face o
Moose:
This is the first poem I learned in school, when I was 7 years old. I memorised it then and have remembered it for nearly 64 years. I have taken a symbolic picture of birds in flight and named my shot after this touching poem and the special feelings it inspires in me daily. As I approach the end of my life here, this poem and my image continue to inspire me as to how wonderful nature is and how lucky I have been to be part of it 16.09.2022 post
allanenk:
Having touched the face of God these words were undoubtedly inspired by Him.. God Bless you John

lefeuvre_jean-pierre:
I have translated into french this beautiful poem which is untranslatable - but which tells so much to anyone however - espacially to a modest private french pilot
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