Poems of Power Part 2

We two, we two, we find the paths of glory.

We two make heaven here on this little earth; We do not need to wait for realms eternal.

We know the use of tears, know sorrow's worth, And pain for us is always love's rebirth.

Our paths lead closely by the paths supernal; We two, we two, we live in love eternal.

THE POET'S THEME

What is the explanation of the strange silence of American poets concerning American triumphs on sea and land?

Literary Digest.

Why should the poet of these pregnant times Be asked to sing of war's unholy crimes?

To laud and eulogize the trade which thrives On horrid holocausts of human lives?

Man was a fighting beast when earth was young, And war the only theme when Homer sung.

'Twixt might and might the equal contest lay, Not so the battles of our modern day.

Too often now the conquering hero struts A Gulliver among the Liliputs.

Success no longer rests on skill or fate, But on the movements of a syndicate.

Of old men fought and deemed it right and just.

To-day the warrior fights because he must,

And in his secret soul feels shame because He desecrates the higher manhood's laws

Oh! there are worthier themes for poet's pen In this great hour, than b.l.o.o.d.y deeds of men

Or triumphs of one hero (though he be Deserving song for his humility):

The rights of many--not the worth of one; The coming issues--not the battle done;

The awful opulence, and awful need; The rise of brotherhood--the fall of greed,

The soul of man replete with G.o.d's own force, The call "to heights," and not the cry "to horse," -

Are there not better themes in this great age For pen of poet, or for voice of sage

Than those old tales of killing? Song is dumb Only that greater song in time may come.

When comes the bard, he whom the world waits for, He will not sing of War.

SONG OF THE SPIRIT

All the aim of life is just Getting back to G.o.d.

Spirit casting off its dust, Getting back to G.o.d.

Every grief we have to bear Disappointment, cross, despair Each is but another stair Climbing back to G.o.d.

Step by step and mile by mile - Getting back to G.o.d; Nothing else is worth the while - Getting back to G.o.d.

Light and shadow fill each day Joys and sorrows pa.s.s away, Smile at all, and smiling, say, Getting back to G.o.d.

Do not wear a mournful face Getting back to G.o.d; Scatter suns.h.i.+ne on the place Going back to G.o.d; Take what pleasure you can find, But where'er your paths may wind.

Keep the purpose well in mind, - Getting back to G.o.d.

WOMANHOOD

She must be honest, both in thought and deed, Of generous impulse, and above all greed; Not seeking praise, or place, or power, or pelf, But life's best blessings for her higher self, Which means the best for all.

She must have faith, To make good friends of Trouble, Pain, and Death, And understand their message.

She should be As redolent with tender sympathy As is a rose with fragrance.

Cheerfulness Should be her mantle, even though her dress May be of Sorrow's weaving.

On her face A loyal nature leaves its seal of grace, And chast.i.ty is in her atmosphere.

Not that chill chast.i.ty which seems austere (Like untrod snow-peaks, lovely to behold Till once attained--then barren, loveless, cold); But the white flame that feeds upon the soul And lights the pathway to a peaceful goal.

A sense of humour, and a touch of mirth, To brighten up the shadowy spots of earth; And pride that pa.s.ses evil--choosing good.

All these unite in perfect womanhood.

MORNING PRAYER

Let me to-day do something that shall take A little sadness from the world's vast store, And may I be so favoured as to make Of joy's too scanty sum a little more Let me not hurt, by any selfish deed Or thoughtless word, the heart of foe or friend; Nor would I pa.s.s, unseeing, worthy need, Or sin by silence when I should defend.

However meagre be my worldly wealth, Let me give something that shall aid my. kind - A word of courage, or a thought of health, Dropped as I pa.s.s for troubled hearts to find.

Let me to-night look back across the span 'Twixt dawn and dark, and to my conscience say - Because of some good act to beast or man - "The world is better that I lived to-day."

THE VOICES OF THE PEOPLE

Oh! I hear the people calling through the day time and the night time, They are calling, they are crying for the coming of the right time.

It behooves you, men and women, it behooves you to be heeding, For there lurks a note of menace underneath their plaintive pleading.

Let the land usurpers listen, let the greedy-hearted ponder, On the meaning of the murmur, rising here and swelling yonder, Swelling louder, waxing stronger, like a storm-fed stream that courses Through the valleys, down abysses, growing, gaining with new forces.