Inspiration and Remembrance

WE COULD BE GREAT Steeped in idealism we, Worshipers of chivalry, Pilgrims to the shrines where lie Heroes who as martyrs die-- Reverence for the hand of fate, That can make men truly great. Oh, that we might rise this hour In the,fullness of our power, Rise in glory, rise in might, Champions of all that’s right! Great our destiny could be, Greater than all lands that be! ‘Tis for us to heed the call Of the one who said, "Love all"; ‘Tis for us to give or lend, Casting out the selfish end-- Raising high, that all may see, Freedom’s torch, bright days to be!	ACROSS THE WAY Across thy way, O Ship of State, The white capped waves are roaring, While vitriol from the cup of Hate A demon's hand is pouring. O Mighty Ship with whited sails, New hope for millions bearing, Wrapped now in haze of stormy gales And armed for war's sea faring. The sacrificial flame again Must burn in strength and power- A war-mad world once more make sane- Sail on in this dark hour!
WIND OF DESTINY Breezing across the nation Blowing away air impure, Breath of American spirit, Confident, proud and sure. Cleansing the musty chambers, Hallways and corridors; Air that was stale and languid, Blown far beyond our doors. Shocked by the war, unloosing Weakness "declining the trial," Each one feeling unworthy, Planning a new life the while. That which alone is eternal, Lives in the hearts of men, Happiness means true freedom- This, all shall feel again. 1941	THE LINE'S BUSY It's eight o'clock--they stand in line, The soldiers bound for war, They long to hear a voice from home, As never wished before. It's nine o'clock--they're still in line, First patiently,until Too many times they hear the words, "The line is busy still." It's ten o'clock--the line breaks up, They're off to God knows where-- Some selfish persons held the line, Some folks who didn't care. 1942
UP TO YOUR STANDARDS Up to your standards, youth of our nation, Bearers of Liberty's light! Flung to you now from the last generation Bidding you keep it e'er bright. Clasp to your bosoms Freedom's fair banner, Treasure it more than your life; Live every hour in virtue's true manner, Gird yourselves now for the strife. Build on the principle, real strength is founded. Honor, true valor and worth, Up to your standards, the edict has sounded! Be ye the salt of the earth!	THAT FLAG WE LOVE That flag we love with crimson bars, And blue inset with silvery stars, Waves o'er a land, designed to be The cradle of man's liberty. A chosen land, a blessed race, Imbued with favor, Heaven's grace. A place where peoples live anew, A boon for all, and not the few. Before we'll see the promised days, We must return from evil ways-- Arise to exaltation new, That all may know when wars are through The dove of peace with snowy wings Will bring the peace right living brings. 1943
ONE LAST FLING (Let us eat, drink and be merry, for tomorrow we die.) One last fling, In the pressure of the moment, One last fling, With uncertainties ahead, When all 'round us is confusion And the heart is filled with dread. One last fling-- In the thought there is deception. One last fling? Such a thing can never be, For tomorrow and tomorrow Stretches on eternally. One last fling-- Some uncertain pleasure seeking One last fling, Throwing caution to the wind, Letting something cheap and shoddy All the peace of life rescind. One last fling, Leaving little satisfaction; One last fling, Full accounting still to give. Disillusionment to follow, With ourselves we still must live! 1942	INTO THE STORM Valuing not sweet freedom, Heritage ours by birth, Letting the hope of ages Slip almost from the earth. Knowing not pain of travail, Relishing life the while, Wakened at last, my country Faces the dark'ning trial. Hearing the news each hour, Casualty lists, a flood. Spurred to new resolution, "Armor of Iron and Blood." Standing now at the portals, Road to a hard victory, "Into the storm and through it," Earn now the right to be free! 1942
KEEP SINGING, KEEP WORKING KEEP PRAYING America sings as the gathering clouds Grow darker and slowly the future enshrouds, America sings, and a courage is born And hope for a world so long trouble torn-- Keep singing, my country, keep singing! America works; now her millions alive To tasks of the moment a vat busy hive, Defense plans stupendous, a job for each one And factories humming from sun until sun. Keep working, my country, keep working! America prays; with valiant cheer And prayerful devotion she welcomes the year In deep supplication, forgiveness for wrong, To Him who alone can make us weak or strong-- Keep praying, my country, keep praying. 1943	HIS FURLOUGH A door opened widely, Firm steps on the stair, I'm crushed in embraces-- Our sailor stands there. Just home for a furlough, All bronzed to his hair, Brown eyes bright and smiling Show never a care. Old records are playing, Young friends dropping in Sing hill-billy ballads To add to the din. With care and precision He presses his pants, Then off to a ball game, A show or a dance. And each precious moment We know is our gain, We're garnering jewels For memory's chain. 1943
NO REAL UNCERTAINTY " The times are so uncertain," said a statesman long ago, "To bring to earth more children now, is most unwise, you know." The question moot was weighed at length By all and sundry too. Aloft the Stars and Stripes unfurled Beneath a sky of blue. They spoke of that first great command To Adam and to Eve-- The blessing that would thus accrue To those who would believe. The flag they loved succeeded then This message to impart: "The only real uncertainty Is in the human heart." 1943	THE PRESIDENT'S SMILE I pause to reflect o'er many a year, All through the dull maze one thing remains clear, When people were weary with hardship and trial They ever were cheered by he President's smile. From problem to problem to endlessly ply, With duties encircling him mountainous high In direst of crises all worries beguile The magic of hope in the President's smile. 1945
AMERICANS ARE WE From stricken lands afar, They gather to our shore-- Sad refugees of war Pass through the open door. Hope 'blazoned high they bring To this land of the free- And join with us who sing, "Americans are we!" 1943	BRAVE MEN PRAY They know that He must walk these fetid ways, In jungles and in foxholes where they rest, For they can feel His presence through the days; His cooling hands upon their eyes are prest, And they can sleep amid the thundering. When men are left alone and lonely are, With minds upturned, to Heaven they will fling A prayer. Its answer naught on earth can bar. And they can hear His voice. A quietude Prevails in hearts which had feared. Though hearts are sore, souls are not seared. If they are near to God they surmount death, Feel freely life not held in bounds by breath. 1944
CONFLAGRATION Flames rising higher and higher, Fire of war uncontrolled-- Threatening life and possessions, Liberty, precious as gold. Fearsome ebullient feelings, Panic--all reason to rout, Each one now grasping for treasures, Knowing not what we're about. Radios, sweepers, and gadgets, Woolen goods, jewelry and silk, Vanities garish as tinsel, Hoarding the things of that ilk. Buying bonds not the main issue; Joy-riding goes on apace-- Eating cake, wanting to have it, Certain we'll win in the race. Days of emollient peace time Will come to bless us once more, But we shall see how the baubles Raised high the price of the war. 1944	WILL WE FORGET When time, our kindliest of friends, Shall bring us peace once more; When flags are furled and guns uncharged Proclaim the end of the war, Will we remember lowly hours When victories we laud, The chastened heart, the pleading prayer, When eyes are turned to God? When we pick up the threads of life, With war no more to fret, Will lessons learned be all in vain-- Oh, will we then forget? 1944
AMERICA TO BE From ashes of Pearl Harbor Of faltering weakness shorn, A Titan has arisen-- American reborn! The winning of our battles Portends a peaceful dawn, Like crimson tints adorning The eastern horizon. And we will make out nation A better, freer land-- True Vision, faith undaunted Must meet the new demand. For in the task gigantic All men will have a chance; Not all will be great statesmen, Or captains of finance.	SO MANY KNEEL So many mothers kneel tonight, With minds upturned in certainty, That He the true, the living light, Still cherishes humanity. They turn to Him in suffering, And strive once more to hear His voice eternal, comforting, Dissolving every fear. They pray for safety of a son, And deeper wishes of the soul: A flaming hope with battles won His name be writ on honor's roll. 1944
RETURNED MAN With zeal of living once his young life seethed, His twinkling eyes and gleaming teeth were wreathed, In smiles. At games he shouted with a zest, And danced and swam and skated with the best. But now he has returned he seems too wise-- Familiar things he views with different eyes, The things he longed to see again and touch That in the days gone by had meant so much He has them now but doesn't seem to care-- His joyous boyhood blighted over there. Then with a smile from out his youthful store, "I guess I'll have to learn to play once more!" 1944	SOLDIER SPEAKS You little know, who tell of scars of mind, And souls, maimed in the war, of some More se3rious than injured limbs. Behind The lines we change and selfless men become; The laws of life are on another plane. The essence of idealism high-- We know our hearts and lives these heights must gain To fearless be, when death is riding by. There are no scars where war is raging free, No blemished minds within the battle's heat! But coming back, civilians to see, We turn again, become the men you meet. 1944
THE GREATEST SOLDIER Again I see that soldier who was greatest of them all, Like Cedars of Lebanon, he was strong and straight and tall. He charted then the road to peace, the same since time began, still the love of God for man. Despite the rendings of the earth, the vising clasp of war, The breath of that great soldier will bring peace to us once more. For mother's tears are challiced now with soldier's blood until The seed of truth in human hearts will bend them to His will. 1945	INTO THE CALM SAIL ON O ship of state, thy keel is laved In calmer seas with battles braved. The white capped waves that tore thy deck, The guns, the bombs, aimed to bewreck, Are silenced now and light appears, The faith and hope to coming years. Sail on, sail on, O ship of state, Into the calm, still strong and great! Steer well thy course, with guidance right, Gleamed from the Keep3er of the Light, Around the shoals that bar thy way, Into a brighter, better day! 1945
THE RETURN I saw him standing on the street Amid the hurrying of feet, His stripes, his tan and missing limb Led one to guess his story grim. Yet there was something in his eye That held me there. I wondered why, With all the torture he had seen, There was a tenderness of mien. I saw him glancing to and fro As these his people come and go, I heard him to a man confide, "For all of this I'd gladly died." His smile said plainly, "Home at last," With war and battles in the past. I think with every scar he wore He loved his Country's flag the more. 1945	MEMORIALS Deep lettered names in gold, The cenotaph, Austerely sculptured columns Statues cold-- Grim aftermaths of war. Again we turn toward peace. What plan we now? Not printed plaques, But rows of "burnished steel," Graved on the heart, the plan ideal, Words hurled from Sinai, For lasting liberty-- The voice of God obeyed, Memorials to be! 1945
PEACE CHARTER Out from a war-weary people, Born of their blood and their tears, Model of co-operation; Charter to steer through the years. Signed by our highest tribunal, Banner of hope is unfurled, Barring all future aggression, Promise of peace to the world Weak ones and strong of the nations, Share the security laid, Faith of the brave who have fallen Shall not again be betrayed. Out of the plans for tomorrow, Small is the price we need pay-- Doing as we would be done by Will bring the bright longed for day! 1945	CHALLENGE TO THE NEW YEAR Where the rivers darken northward to the forests, Where the mountains, hills and valleys meet the sea, In the country, towns and cities, deal Old Glory Has waved o'er people firm in unity. I have heard a ringing echo, footsteps marching, All in tune, a hundred thirty million strong. As they stemmed the tide of surging deep aggression, Ugly torrents that remained on earth too long. O'er the eastern skies with crimson tints adorning, There's a promise of a brighter day to be-- A challenge to the heart of every true man, Americans can live in amity! New Year's, 1946
NEURNBERG Slowly turn the wheels of justice, Grinding very small, Magnitude of forces working For the good of all. In the court are missing faces-- Statesmen to the fore, Through the years gone by allowing Nazis to make war. Questioning of prosecution, Current wrongs to people seen-- Policies of men and nations, Hands not always clean. For beyond all criticism Cynics must agree, 'Tis a tribute to the powers That made nations free! Rulers in the name of country, Must expose their future deeds, Precedents to revelation, Toward true peace it leads. 1946	STAR OF GOLD REMOVED I saw my neighbor 'cross the way, Take down her star of gold today, That in her window shining through, Was superseded by the blue. She smiled and tried to hide the pain, That long within her heart had lain. Evading not his mentioned name, Though modest of her hero's fame. I saw beyond the courage won, A pillow wet with day begun. The star to her meant many boys: The one who played with childish toys, The lad who had with living seethed, The twinkling eyes and teeth all wreathed In smiles who played at games with zest, And danced and skated with the best---- * * * * O wise of earth, men high and low, What recompense can you bestow? The star of gold, Oh, let it lead Away from selfishness and greed, To beckon on, like long ago, The star of Bethlehem to glow! 1946
DREAM ON, O YOUTH Dream on, O youth, dream on, nor fear the morrow Will bring a hindrance of your firm desire-- There are no "last frontiers," and those lost chances Will come again and you may still aspire. Olympian heights, bright vistas shine before you-- Doubt not your strength to scale the rugged peak, For hidden potencies and needed power Will aid you toward the goal that you may seek. Dream on, dream on, those hopes and fervid longings Are prophets, telling what you may attain Live worthily, and if you are deserving, The good of earth, the best will be your gain! 1946
Other Poems TRUTH Man has pondered down the years, Oft the question reappears, What is truth? We know in part, Definitions learned by heart; 'Tis the compass of the soul, Guiding to our destined goal; Loyalty to all that's right; Courage in the darkest night; Rock foundation of the great; Guardian of the hand of fate. Thus defined, then truth is power-- Lowly men to gods may tower. Truth, to all, we now reveal, Password to the life ideal-- Mantle to be worn each day, Everywhere,along life's way.	SANCTUARY To hope and dream and wait-- Again and still again. To face the changing hours Aglow or numbed with pain. Unstinting of your powers. hen meet defeat once more. Still fighting midnight doubt Work as you worked before. Till at your will you climb, Yet keep the wished ideal Untarnished and unstained-- So from the days you reap A freedom from yourself, Serene to wait the years And live, with a life your own, Aloof from fate and fears.
CHRISTMAS WISH I wish I had dwelt in Bethlehem in that long ago, To greet those lonely strangers, with weary feet and slow, I wish I had been near Mary, her every with to attend, To comfort and to love her, when needing most a friend But these are vain desires, and never meant for me-- Around are other pilgrims on life's upsurging sea. His heart is yearning over them-- I hear again His plea; "Ye do it to the least ones, ye do it unto me!"	TO A FRIEND I wonder if you know my thoughts of you So often span the years and bring you near, Across my memories now they come and go, A look, a smile, your words so dear. The way you touched my hand and said, "We have so much to make us grateful here." Such tender joy comes with each memory, The Spring of Youth returns how with a surge, Our dreams, our hopes, our plans that were to be-- And now our busy ways do not converge. But this I know, at some great future day, A mystic place in some eternity, So real, so close, so true, I may Find you, a friend, bright days to be!
PRAIRIE SHRUBBERY All clothed in somber loveliness, In hues of gray ;and brown, September's obeisance Now steals up hills and down. But where the coulee deepens, Rare etchings, gold and red, Are full of sweet remembrance, And coming hours of dread. For soon the glowing bushes Will feel an iron hand, When all their lovely dower Is scattered o'er the land. Untamed yet uncomplaining, With courage firm and sure, They face the days of blighting, Bare limbed they still endure Might we, with spirit valiant, Face skies no longer fair, When dream by dram life's changes Have left our branches bare.	FUTILITY At times this life appears to be so futile, So different from what once we had desired, When in the days gone by, with rose-hued daydreams Of fame to come, our youthful souls were fired. We thought to do so much, but in the planning Forgot the round of duties large and small, The daily grind, the tasks that bring no glory, Which rise before us like a circling wall. Perhaps this life is like a wondrous carpet Of intricate yet gorgeous flowered design-- Each one to do a portion of the weaving According to the plan of Will Divine, Then 'tis for us to mar not the vast pattern Nor doubt eternal wisdom of the plan, Until at length in deep relief completed, With eyes made bright, life's picture we will scan.
VANCOUVER IN FEBRUARY (FROM SIXTY-FIRST AVENUE EAST) Grey branches interlacing, A splash of western pine. The mossy rocks and hedges With English ivy twine. An eerie foghorn booming From over Fraser way. A dozen seagulls winging Toward the English Bay. And west from Marpole station, Aligning Fraser shore. The bracken, fern and bushes Watch fishing boats galore. A street car's distant clanging, The whistle of a tram. The sound of "Skipper" barking To make the kitten "scram." And Joey calling gaily To Shirley cross the way. The other children trooping To schoolhouse for the day. A few things to remember In land of sun and rain, Another link is added To Memory's golden chain THE SONG Tears and broken blossoms Woven into song, Boon of love evolving From life's thorn and thong.	ONES WHO SMILE The time my heart like broken arcs Of some fine shimmering wheel Lay shattered, I knew I must smile. (The world has sorrows of its own.) And some there were Smiled back at me The selfsame way, stricken ones, Understanding ones. We knew ourselves to be A cloistered company.
WHEN JUNE COMES BACK When June comes back, and all the earth with gladness fills, I know a place where I would go, among the nesting hills. Ah, many Junes have come and gone since last I saw this dell-- A scene it is from childhood hours that I remember well. The trail winds from the canyon road, alluring turn by turn, Tho' almost hidden now and then by glimmering flower and fern. There, deep in shade, we find it from the noisy world withdrawn, The sun pierced shadows dancing o'er a downy velvet lawn, And over there some foxgloves of the deepest, rarest hue, Their only rival heaven, in the purity of blue. Below the creek goes dancing all its youthful life away, While swinging in the oak, a birdling sings its blithest lay. Foot free and happy, would I gladly hie me to this spot, And seek the languid glamour which is youthtime's envied lot; I'd clutch at fleeting moments sheened with golden web of dreams And breathe again the balmy air where nature smiles and beams.	THE ANSWER Sweet peace like incense comes stealing, Descending from Heaven above, And permeating all my being With holy and glorified love. I've prayed with a passionate fervor For blessings I think should be mine, And God lets me know He has heard me By sending this Heavenly sign. I may not receive what I ask for, My judgment's not always the best. I'll rest in the knowledge He's heard me, And trust in His love for the rest.