1969

1969: Text

Now I Have Flown

Charles C. Cole

Now I have mounted moving stairs of blue
and traced the fuzzy outline of a cloud;
Now I have soared with breathless speed into
the sun and under roofless arches bowed
to dive and climb and hurl through endless air,
to chase my shadow over leagues of land and
catch the wind's quick blast. What I now dare
was only dreamed before this age; I stand
on heights untouched by millions in the past
and look into a farther, greater haze
than ever poet did. This last,
the strongest step that man can take to gaze
into the face of God. Now I have known
the power of His presence-I have flown

1969: Text

I Cannot Move

Sarah Scally

I have my feet stuck firmly on the ground
traced outlines of clouds with just a finger
in a book. On occasion lying down
at midnight I'll look at maps and linger
on satellite images, think of stars
moons and human determination. I
will never go to space, don't have a car
or money to give me the chance to fly.
Human invention is out of my reach
and I have no divine sense or belief.
So maybe I am stuck on the ground, each
person can decide whether they agree
but how can I believe when it seems that
I can only move so far on a map.

1969: Text