Outward Bound

Grady McMurtry

4 November 1951

We live in glory, outward bound!

Bound for the stars’ immensity.

We soar above the Earth so round

On jets of flaming tensity.

In atmosphere

Celestial sphere,

Or deepest stellar ocean,

We’ll stride the skyways on the blast

Of nuclear implosion.

Our ranging cruisers ride the wind

Of space’s dark umbration.

We loft them high, there to defend

Our homes and Freedom’s Nation.

On guard we stand

Above our land

To guide our missile’s motion,

And pledge our honor to the last

Full measure of devotion.

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