"High Flight" by John Gillespie Magee, Jr. (poetry reading)

[gnarkillkicksass]

Nice rendition. Though I must admit, I hate, hate, "High Flight". It reminds me of way too many funerals.".

[TheDanielDayLewis]

that's a cool story, i wanna touch god

[eclectorsdevices]

It is rare for a teenager to have such a masterful command of our glorious language. The sonnet is richly prolific in original phraseology. See McGee's bio on Wikipedia and his connection to the UK.

Not popular in America? It is the official poem of the United States Air Force Academy, and every cadet is required to memorize it.

[staud100]

I always loved this poem, it used to the the sign off for several u.s stations,! I would not dream of any other poet down, am sure I would like them all! but how could we ever critize any of these boys from whatever nation, whatever whatever rank or branch they were in? I think you'd have to me soo small minded and bitter and unfeeling, not too see that these were BOYS from all over the world, forced into a horrible hell. GOD BLESS THEM ALL, NO MATTER WHAT SIDE.THEY WERE JUST BOYS! st.aud100

[tessler6868]

the poet was 19 or younger at the writing and to that point survived his missions. i believe he describes the thrill of air combat with a very young man's passion & innate (though unconcious) sense of invincibility. high flight is as much youth poetry as war poetry, imo.

[thallassocracy]

I have a lot of time for Wilfred Owen. But Owen is WWI, and this is WWII.

Keith Douglas and Alun Lewis are two excellent WWII poets. Randall Jarrell is also impressive at his best.

[staylopictures]

Just read Jarrell's "The Death of the Ball Turret Gunner." Wow. Thanks.

[thallassocracy]

If you are seriously into deserts, try to look at Keith Douglas' Vergissmeinicht. If you like it, try to find his novel El Alamein to Zem Zem - about the North African war.

[thallassocracy]

I know this poem is huge in America, but - like most Brits - I've never been able to see what is so good about it.

I've always been intrigued that the best WWII poet - Keith Douglas - was a tank commander (tanks don't seem very poetic); and also that fliers seem to have such a penchant for sentiment.

The worst WWII poem I know is T. Nicholl's 'His Friends Last Battle'. It won a prize at the Festival of Britain. And I wish it had been written by an Englishman.

[TheRunereaper]

@thallassocracy

What is so good about it is that it is a celebration of LIFE. John Magee gave his in the desperately needed service of a country that was not wholly his. Yes, it is not completely original and yes, the language is slightly flawed but who cares? It is a bold testament to the exhilaration of youth and it will endure long after you and I are unknown faces in a photo album. Where is your testament "Rule of the sea"? Did you join the wrong service?

[mysticmagic4760]

Great video!