Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of earth
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;
Sunward I’ve climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth
Of sun-split clouds – and done a hundred things
You have not dreamed of – wheeled and soared and swung
High in the sunlit silence. Hov’ring there
I’ve chased the shouting wind along, and flung
My eager craft through footless halls of air.
Up, up the long delirious, burning blue,
I’ve topped the windswept heights with easy grace
Where never lark, or even eagle flew -
And, while with silent lifting mind I’ve trod
The high untresspassed sanctity of space,
Put out my hand and touched the face of God.

Pilot Officer Gillespie Magee
No 412 squadron, RCAF
Killed 11 December 1941

This was, after all, Winston’s favorite time of day – and besides, it was just a party – for him even. Why should he rush through his favorite part of the day just to attend his own party?

He took another sip of his coffee and decided to notice every detail of this simple moment. The tingling of steam on his nose as the cup approached his lips, its almost but not quite too hot temperature, and finally, the bold and smooth taste of his latest blend – the mix of which he had since forgotten. On purpose too. Winston, a terrible coffee lover, enjoyed the surprise of a new and exciting taste upon each return from the market.

He inhaled deeply and savored the aroma. There are few ways to be more happy than when examining a sunrise with a cup of coffee and solitude on a clear Saturday morning. Winston made a point of being happy at this time of day. Today he was even more content for tonight would be his party. The thought of the party brought memories of the many details he must attend to today.

But no – stop thinking of that – the first rays of the sun are peaking over the horizon. A golden hue lights up the wisp of clouds that brush across the sky as if by an artist feeling guilty for leaving the sky to perfectly clear. This was always the best moment – the moment just before. The sky lights up with arrays of color – the anticipation is felt – even birds momentarily halt their song to partake in the suspense that is swiftly resolved as the sun climaxes over the horizon.