The Eagle Soars

Triumph in Trinity: Civilian, Soldier, Divinity

In the nature of nature,
In the history of flight,
There exists no broader sweep of majesty
Than the eagle’s gathered height.
Two ways the eagle lifts:
By thermal reflection;
By winds flowing in or out as ambient subjection;
And thus we too lift and have lifted in this way –
From fires and pyres upon our nation,
From gales of threat, tragedy, grief, frustration . . .
We rise,
Not from ashes,
But from the refusal of embers –
The American conscious
That expands and remembers
The nature of flight,
The true freedom of soaring,
The union with God that transcends all imploring.
It is the creed of angels to enfold the Earth in heavenly down,
To coronate human will with the promise of salvation’s crown,
To lift and protect the image of God
By example of the miracle of wings –
The altitude of rightful pride
That only steadfast courage brings.
Though in the lesson of transcendent creed
A cold neutrality exists:
Power favors those who use it
And threatens what resists;
But the pilot – the spirit –
Measures span by honor’s ply;
Hence, One Nation under God
Spreads its wings beyond the sky.

– Mary Jo Magar –