Did I listen to the truth? Much of it has passed me by. Now if only some one would Speak to me and tell me why.
We wakened in the morning The wind had blown up cold; And too, the oaks were grumbling Like men agrowing old.
We must all work this morning, Though rough and harsh outside, Men labor in the storming For all must eat betide.
If we could lift that close drawn veil and see, The anxious hours might pass in rest and sleep. But wait! Could men but sow and counting reap? Who would toil on when knowing loss must be? No wild glad hoping with expectancy! And wooing lover then might he not weep? The fortune which would grieve--no shop to keep. Enough. Man can climb higher and be free. Leave be the veil and let men struggle through. Let roots strike down and seek the growing needs; And living stock stretch up toward the sun With life and hope. Then let men work and woo, Not anchorless, nor tumbling drift as weeds. Fulfilment in the end and laurel won.
Love our neighbors as ourselves, May we fit in where we can, Love our God and praise his name Is God's law for mortal man.
Bright smiles and many tear drops Are begging loved ones stay; For not all soldier boys come home When bugles call today.
Brave lassies wait, toiling, hoping, And keep the hearth brushed clean, The home fires glowing brightly With all about serene.
The heart grows weary often, For hours and days are long. But when the fight is over The land will ring with song.
With all the maidens singing The full and happy notes, While men go shouting, marching, At sight of khaki coats.
And Main Street pushing, crowding, Will be a surging stream, For when this war is over Our joy will be supreme.
This is number 103 of the Torchbearers' Chapbooks, printed by hand at the Pegasus Studio, from hand-set 10 point Century on Eggshell book paper, in an edition of 106 copies and the type distributed.
Copies may be secured from the author, at 75¢ each, postpaid Clara M. Beede, 304 West 102 St., Apt., 1-A, New York City 25, N.Y.
Torchbearers' Chapbooks from Pegasus Studios:
4 Strange Riders Journey, L.V. Zietlmann, Texas 5 Heartsease, Thomas B. Livingston, Rhode Island 6 Thru the year--16 Singing Moods, C.H. Greenfield, Cal. 19 Wayside Rhymes, Vera B. Stewart, W. Va. 22-11 Songs of Golden Spring, Frances Belle Delzell, Ore. 24 Clash of Sword and Cymbal, Comp. by L.T. McNair, N.C. 25 Petals of Dreams, Lloyd Day, Montana 26-37 Memories and Moods, Edna Smith DeRan, La 29 Surgings, Otis Raymond Dow, Maine. 30 Raking Leaves, Edith Moody Rittenour, Mich.