FROM SHADOW
TO SUNSHINE
BY
HARRY JONES COLLINS
.^4'-
DED1CATI0N
THIS SMALL VOLUME IS SINCERELY
DEDICATED TO MY LOVING
AND DEVOTED WIFE
KATHRYN HOPPER COLLINS
COPYRIGHT 1918 BY HARRY JONES COLLINS
THE INDIANAPOLIS RECORDER PRINT
POETRY
Poetry is nature's mouthpiece,
Picturng scenes of life and death
All the way from earth's beginning
To man's last and fleeting- breath
Oft' it lifts us from the shadows
Of a dark, benighted world
To a bright and glorious sunshine,
Where Hope's banner is unfurled
FROM SHADOW TO SUNSHINE.
O Fate, thou who hath frowned on me so long!
At last hath blessed me with a ray of light;
And filled my very inmost soul with song
And strewn my dreary pathway with de¬
light.
0 Destiny! thou who dost shape the life
Of every mortal, whether great or small;
Both king and peasant bow to thy command,
And by thy power nations rise and fall.
The hearts of men arc governed by thy laws ;
Thou dost control the paths which we must
tread,
And puzzled by thy works we often pause,
Thou fillest us with wonder, fear and dread.
Since thou can'st rule the hearts of stronger
men
Why should I marvel that thou ruleth mine,
My feeble efforts to resist thy laws
Are but in vain before thy power sublime.
1 cannot even rule my inmost thoughts
That rise incessantly within this mortal
frame.
My mental reason harbors many themes
For which my powerless will is not to
blame.
Thou Fate, ruled by the hand of God,
Hath brought a vision to my very soul.
The path of joy once hidden from my view
Doth now before my weary eyes unfold.
—1—
This stream of joy which now pervades my
heart
Is yet unfathomed by my mental powers.
I only know the dark and dreary past
Has turned to sunshine which brings happy
hours.
Ah no! One other thing I comprehend
Whilst wading in this flood of mirth and
glee;
There is a soul sent from that vast unknown
To bring a bright undying hope to me.
This soul awakes nobler thoughts in me
And bids my mortal frame look up and live.
And fills me with as much of real life
As one soul can unto another give.
Grant Thou, O Fate, that this inspiring soul
Remain forever blended with mine own;
O, let its purity and truth forever be
The greatest comfort that my life has
known.
LIFT UP YOUR HEADS.
Lift high your heads, ye sons of Ham;
Crush not thy pride with shame;
Forget the dark and dreadful past,
And grasp a higher aim.
Doubt not thine opportunities.
They greet thee day by day.
Build up thy hopes, destroy thy fears,
March on the upward way.
Though obstacles beset thy course,
And many foes arise;
Our sure Defender still doth reign
Above the vaulted skies.
We can't expect to gain a crown
Unless we bear a cross;
We can't expect each victory
To come without a loss.
Speed on with all thy heart and soul,
And slacken not thy pace;
Speed on until thy sure success
Doth stare thee in the face.
Let each and every soul join hands,
With earnestness of heart,
And let each make a firm resolve
To do his honest part.
For, if we hope to stand this strain
Of life's continual fight,
And prove our manhood to the world*
We surely must unite.
The Nation that divides itself
Can never hope to stand;
If we would be victorious,
We must go hand in hand.
Whene'er a weaker brother falls,
Bid him look up and live!
Be slow to scourge him with thy wrath
But hasten to forgive.
Encourage with thy heart and voice
Each step that would incline
To fill our souls with purposes
More noble and divine.
Teach every youth that he must face
The problems of this world
With power to withstand the darts
Which at him will be hurled.
Teach him that he must take the stand
Of other men who died,
Contending for our rightful place
In life's swift flowing tide.
Go forth! ye youthful sons of Ham;
Go forth with heart and hand.
Prove to the world that ye are men
Who meet the world's demand.
Wherever ye are called to go
Upon this earthly sod,
Make known that Ethiopia
Is looking up toward God.
—3—
Herald the news to all the world,
O'er sea and over land,
That Ethiopia unto God
Is stretching forth her hand.
Make known that with uplifted heads
We view our rising sun,
And we will ne'er give up the race
Until our prize is won.
ENCOURAGEMENT
Isn't it great to be encouraged
By a noble hearted friend
Who whenever you may need him
Has a willing hand to hand?
Isn't it sweet to have that feeling
That you know you're not alone
In this world to fight your battles
And berieath your load to groan
Isn't it grand to know there's some one
Who will help you on your way
When you try to reach a standard
That's before you day by day?
Dosen't it make your pathway brighter
When you know you've got a friend
Who will fill your heart with courage
One on whom you can depend.
Yes its half of life's hard battle
And it lifts your load of care
Just to hear some words of comfort
When your cross seems hard to bear.
0 how dark and cold and cheerless
This old world of our would seem
If no single ray of sunshine
O'er the paths of life would gleam.
Just suppose no friends were near you
No kind words were ever spoken
No heart beat' with interest for you
Then your heart would soon be broken.
Then it shall be my endeavor
—4—
All through life and to its end
To encourage other people
And to always keep a friend.
LAY ¥0' W0B11IES ON DE SHELF
What's the use to fret an' worry
Till yuh almos' g;o insane?
What's de use to live in mis'ry,
Creepin' long o'er sorrow's lane?
'Taint no use at all in grievin'
Till yuh almos' kills yo'self;
Raise you' head an' start to whistlin'
Lay yo' worries on de shelf.
What's de use to plan an' figger
Till yuh nearly lose yo' health,
Tryin' fer to make life easy
An' to gain a lot o' wealth?
'Taint no use at all in forcin'
Evathing to go yo' way:
Jes' you go an' lay yo' -worries
On de shelf an' let 'em stay.
What's de use to burden people
With yo' long face an' yo' cares?
Don't yuh know when you hast troubles
Dat de other folks has theirs?
'Taint no use in grievin' others
'Cause you'se kinder blue yo' self:
Let de otah folks be cheerful
Lay yo' worries on de shelf.
You can't 'spec' fer things to turn out
Lak you wants 'em all de time,
You can't 'spec' to live forever
In a bright an' Sunny clime.
'Taint no use to git discouraged
After you has done yo' bes';
Jes' you lay aside yo' worries
An' de Lord will do de res;
Worry never gits you nothin7
*Cept gray hairs an' wrinkled brow;
Who on earth invented worry?
What's it good fer anyhow?
:Taint no use in anybody
Makin trouble fer himself:
If you want to have along life
Lay yo' worries on de shelf.
OVER THE TOP
They say there's fighting going on
Somewhere across the sea,
I'm sure I don't quite understand
Why such a thing should be.
And no one else would have the Heart
To stir up such a row,
Except that Horrid Kaiser Bill
That's making trouble now.
I wonder if that Kaiser thinks
That he will win this fight,
And that his selffish, mean desires
Can triumph over right?
And that while Nations how to him
He'll feast with mirth and song?
He isn't worth t3ie time 'would take
To tell him he is wrong.
He thinks that he's so wise and cute
That he can rule the world;
He thinks each spot of ground is his
Where'er his Bombs are hurled.
He thinks his Submarines and Gass
Wili conquer e^erywnere,
But he's forgot that Uncle Sam
Has Nephews "Over There."
He's going to get a Big Surprise
Before this thing is done;
He'll find just when he thinks he's through
The worst has just begun.
He's got some other Boys to face,
That sure will run him down.
Some Black Eoys that will never let
Old Glory touch the Ground.
When Uncle Sam's Old Ninth and Tenth
Are placed upon the field,
Those Boys that saved old Teddy's life
Will make that Kaiser yield.
They'll ride on through the German Line
Like Water through the Mill
And take those Castles on the Rhine
Like taking San Juan Hill.
And then too, there's the Twenty-fourth
And twenty-fifth you know;
Now when it comes to Infantries
Those Boys are no ways slow;
They never leave a wheel unturned
When they are on the spot;
They'll show the Kaiser how to try
To be what he is not.
Then there's another set of Boys
I'm bound to speak about
A Regiment that Uncle Sam
Can't hardly do without:
And that's the Eighth from. Illinois,
A bunch of Real men
Who never fear for pain and death,
Nor dodge the Lion's Den.
They'll teach that selfish Autocrat
To mind his own affairs,
And let the other folks alone
While they attend to theirs.
And if he doesn't take the hint
And in his own place keep,
Those heroes of the Stars and Stripes
Will lay him down to sleep.
THE GOLDEN RULE
Where is the mortal that can tell
Why man to man is so unjust?
Why is it that one half the world
Cannot the other- portion trust?
Why can't men feel each other's care
Think act and live with one accord?
Why not each mortal soul that breather
Find comfort in each other's words?
Can't men forgive and be. forgiven,
To others do as they desire
—7—
That other men should do to them
And each downtrodden soul inspire?
Must we forever yield to greed
To hatred, envy, and to pride,
And turn deaf ears to ev'ry cry
From fallen mortals at our side?
It cannot be that this shall last,
That men should perish day by day
For lack of deeds and words of love
To guide them on the upward way
Can mortals be so stout of heart,
So void of sympathy or care
That they heed not what may befall
Their brothers nor what pains they bear
Not so with every man, ah no,
Not every heart is made of stone:
For this old world could not endure
If each heart bore its cares alone.
From earth's beginning until now
There always was a chosen few
Who shared their sunshine and their smiles
With those o'er whom the shadow grew.
Let's hope that time shall never come
When every heart so cold has grown
That men forget the "Golden Rule"
And have no feelings but their own.
THE WINNING WAY
Each human heart's desire should be
To cultivate the winning way,
Which soothes a many aching heart
And turns life's darkness into day.
A winning way has often eased
The mind so torn with grief and pain;
It calms the threatening enemy,
It worketh peace where strife would rei-gr
It doth reflect the inner soul
Of all who hold it in their sway,
It maketh man to man more just;
0, what a gift, the winning way.
How can we benefit mankind,
And fill with usefulness our days?
The surest way that we can find
Is through our winsome winning" ways.
HOW A BODY'S MIND WILL CHANGE ,
I've been studying human nature
And to me it does seem Strang
When I stops to think about it
How a body's mind will change.
Even your actions and your habits
Often change from day to day
Jes' because your mind's been changin'
And you thinks a diff'rent day.
Some folks' minds is like the weather;
They can change' twixt noon and night,
An' the thoughts they goes to sleep with
Don't stay with them till daylight.
Others gets determinations
An' they's firm as they can be
Once they has a notion settled,
But that airit the way with me.
I can't even trust my own mind,
'Cause it changes awful quick.
I can soon git in the notion
But I jes' can't make it stick.
An' my likes and dislikes changed
Almos' ev'ry day or two,
An' I gets in such perdic'ments
That I don't know what to do.
The only way I gets determined,
So's my thoughts wont sway and bend
Is to have my ideas sanctioned
By a confidential friend.
Fer it's easy to be steadfast
With a firm unchangin' mind
When there's some one to advise you
Who is noble true an' kin.'
An' that sho' is human nature
To be easily controlled
—9—
By each other's conversation
Whether we be young or old.
An' there aint no mortal livin'
What don't have his fickle days,
Changin' quickly in his notions
Goin' zig-zag in his ways.
An' I guess it weren't intended
Fer us all to stick lak glue
To the firs' ideas we frames up
An' the things we plans to do.
But to me it's still a myst'ry,
An' it never will seem clear
How a body keeps a changin?
In their minds from year to year.
A BIT OF REFLECTION
Oft' I finds myself a thinkin'
'Bout this earth so big and roun,'
An' how many kinds of people
In this grand old world are found.'
Some folks thinks this worl' aint fittin'
Fer a man to dwell within,
But it's jes' the folks that's in it
That have filled it full o' sin.
Now there's some folks that birng
blessin's
An' there's some that brings a curse;
Some will make condishuns bettah
While there's others make 'em worse.
But if ev'ry single feller
Tried to do his level best
Fer to make this life worth livin'
Then the whole worl' would be blc^t
But I meets a lot o' fellers
I am sorry for to say
That expec's fer all the blessin's
To fall over in their way.
They expec's to go to heb'n
On their flow'ry beds of ease,
An' to make each other feller
—10—
Bow before them on their knees.
Now I haven't got no patience
With no such a man as that:
He's no good to anybody
Makes no diff'ence where he's at.
There's another class o' people
Evahbody's glad to meet,
'Cause they're always full o' sunshine
An' they keeps their temper sweet.
An' they're always doin' somethin'
Fer somebody 'sides their self,
An' they never pets their worries
But they lays them on the shelf.
Now such folks as them's a blessin'
To themselves and others too,
An' they meets life's cares and troubles
With an optermistic view.
Co'se I know it weren't intended
Fer all folks to be the same,
'Cause there's some that have a purpose
While there's others has no aim.
An' the folks that stands for somethin'
Sho' have got a job on hand
Fer to lilt those no count fellers
To a higher better stand.
TWO TOKENS OF FMENBSHSIP
0, may lifes greatest joys attend
Each one to whom this I send
And fill their days with nothing less
Than endless peace and happiness.
May all the joys this life affords
Upon you now descend,
And bear to you the best regards
Of this your humble friend.
A TOAST TO THE HEART
Here's to the heart that beats with joy
That beats with full content
And every heart may do the same
With just the mind's consent.
—11—
PAUL LAWRENCE DUNBAR
What noble men earth can produce
And fit them for all nature's use?
Of earth's great men we call the roll
And pause on one departed soul.
"Who may it be" I hear the cry
What has he left which ne'er will die?
Paul Lawrence Dunbar is this soul
Whose name is on the Honor Roll.
The gift with which this soul was blest
Was one of natures very best.
A gift which taught him to reveal
The thrills of joy which he could feel
It also taught him to express
The pangs of sorrow and distress
He but revealed his inmost soul
In every tale of love he told.
He gave a touch of poets grace
To each expression in its place:
He pictured sons of humble birth
And polished them with noble worth.
His inclinaton was .to bless
Each soul that struggled in distress
He sought to mend the broken chords;
He uttered comfort-laden words.
0 Poet great, though thou hath gone,
Thy noble work shall still live on,
And thou shalt ne'er forgotten be
By hosts of friends who mourn for thee.
Thou didst traverse dark sorrow's way
Till thou didst see the light of day.
And though thy body be at rest
Thy words are stirring many a breast.
Rest noble bard, thy labors o'er,
Soar on to that Celestial shore,
And when thou wakest may there be
A jeweled crown awaiting thee.
—12—
PHAYEH
When'er a soul unfolds its heart
And lets Christ enter there
And holds communion with its Lord
That soul breathes out a prayer.
Although perhaps not spoken loud
Nor whispered on the air,
When'er the soul doth meditate
It prays a silent prayer.
When we desire to reach some soul
With loving-, tender care,
With heart and voice we then should
raise
To Heaven an earnest prayer.
0, what a gift to all mankind
A gift so rich and rare
That sets our hearts in tune with God
The blessed gift of prayer.
Each soul that hopes on Heaven's shores
A starry crown to wear,
Must climb the steps of Glory's heights
With faith and earnest prayer.
MEDITATION ■
Sometime when I am thinking,
And thoughts are running deep
Oft sitting up till midnight
When I should be asleep,
I think of things I'm proud of
And things that I regret,
And things I have attempted
And have not finished yet.
My mind goes on to subjects
Which I can't understand:
Things which I never can figure
Nor any earthly man,
Of course since I am human
I have that human way
Of wrestling with the problems
That face me every day.
The more I get to thinking
The less I find I know
Of things I should accomplish
—13—
Here in this world below,
No matter what our ages
We never know it all,
And when we feel the largest
We're really very small.
Reflection makes us anxious
And causes us to guess,
And things that seem our ruin
Will oftimes prove to bless.
The good of meditation
Is that which drives a man
To struggle on with patience
To reach his promised land
The man who never ponders
O'er question himself,
N'er searches wisdom's pantry
For good thing on the shelf,
He never gets those blessings
Which - wisdom has in store
Like these who through reflection
The realms of thought explore.
The man who realises
That there is much to learn
Fans flames of inspiration
Until he can discern
The highest type of manhood
The human soul can find,
And seeks for all the knowledge
It takes to fill his mind.
The facts stay with you longer
When you've been through the mill.
All good and noble actions
That men have ever done
Grew out of deep reflection
Ere actions were begun.
No thoughts of one brief moment
But often lifelong dreams
Of sober earnest thinkers
Work changing of the scenes.
A man's first thought and actions
Not always are his best;
If you would choose between them
Just put them to the test.
—14—
Quick action seldom prosper
Like deeds which men have wrought
On safe and sure foundations,
Of concetrated thought.
I've come to the conclusion
The best and surest plan
To reach the highest standard
And meet the world's demand,
Is stop and think it over
Before you make a start,
And know your thoughts sanctioned
By conscience and from heart.
I'll keep on meditating
Keep thinking night and day.
And when one notion fails me
I'll turn the other way.
I'll keep on stepping, climbing,
Till in a higher clime
I've left footprints behind me
Upon the sands of time.
SPUING FEVER
Well folks its gettin' warmer,
An' the trees are buddln' out
An' the fishin' worms an' insects
Have commence to move about.
Ev'rything has gone to stirrin'
Since the winter's chill is past,
An' the world is mighty cheerful
'Cause the Spring is here at last.
It makes a feller feel like loafin*
With a fishin' line and pole,
Or else spend a couple of hours
Hangin' round some swimmin' hole.
Now I don't mean to be lazy,
An' I never likes to shirk,
But it's mighty hard in Springtime
For a man to stick to work.
Winter may be good for some folks,
An' the Fall is too I guess,
But the Springtime an' the Summer
Suits the most of us the fces.'
THE PICNIC
We 11 they had a great big picnic
An' uv co'se a 'scursion too
'Twas a crowd down to de station,
Evahbody dat I knew.
An' some udders dat I don't know
A' I never will I guess,
An' o' co'se as I wus down there
I cut up jes lake de res'.
We wuz down there 'bout two hours
Fo de train should come along,
An' we joked an' laifed an' cut up,
Ev'ry one in dat great throng
Den de train, hit come a tootin'
Lake a giant fum de cave,
An' de crowd commence tuh pushin'
You'd a job yo' life to save.
Co'se I stepped up in de crowd too
But dey squeezed me nigh to deaf,
An' when I got in de car suh
I wuz well nigh out o' breaf
Then de bell commence to ringin'
An' the engine start to go,
- An' them coaches followed onward,
Startin' cautious lak an' slow
Then we done our farewell gazin'
Out de winders went our heads,
But de train it galloped onward
Thru de country land she sped.
When we got down to tuh de station
Covldn't wait fer train tu.li st>H\
Some o' dese wha", I calls upstarts
Throwed deir feet and tuk a hop
Dey flopped rght flown on the flatfo'm
Jes' as flat as dey cud sit,
An' dey tried to make us old folks
B'lieve it didn't hurt a bit.
'Cause dey knowed dat we would tell 'em
Dat dey got ther jus' dessert
—1C—
An' it didn't make no diffence
Ef de fall dey got did hurt
Well we scrambled to de fair groun's
O'er de brightly flowered mead;
Ev'ry one dat felt lak runnin'
Tried his bes' to take de lead.
When we got out on them fairgroun's
We had all fergot our grace:
Some went dis way, some went dat way
An' we run all o'er de place.
Some uv us men and boys played baseball
While de gals dey played croquet:
Evabody passed de mornin'
In de mos' delightful way.
Long 'bout noon we all got hungry
So of co'se we stopped to eat,
And, when evathing wuz ready
Ev'ry feller took a seat.
An' we opened wide the baskits,
Doin' so with stunned surprise,
Lookin' down on them good eatin's
0 what sights did meet our eyes.
Chicken, ham, boiled eggs an' pickles,
An' all sorts o' fruits an' pies,
Jelly-roll an' apple dumplin's,
Cakes of ev'ry shape and size.
So we ate to our contenment;
Ev'rybody got his fill,
An' as soon as lufich wuz over
We wuz left to roam at will.
Quite a bunch went to de boathouse,
Rented three or fo' rowboats,
An' as de day wuz somewhat sultry
Why us men tuk off our coats
An' we started down de rver
At a lively sott o' pace
An' de youngster took a notion
Fed to hav a little race.
—17—
An' de boat dat I wuz ridin'
Wuz controlled by two strong men,
An' we kept ahead de othahs
Till we started roun' de ben;
Den another boat bumped ours
An' it sent us toward de bank,
Had de current been some stronger
Dat boat cert'nly would uv sank.
When dem boats firs' hit together
I didn't know what had cumabout,
An' it put some uv us fellers
On de verge uv leapin' out.
When we got out of de tangle
I wuz boun' to pull asho;
Tho' de youngsters kindly begged me
0 come on an' ride some mo;
An' I found some other method
Fer to pass away the day,
An' I finished up de outing
In a pleasant sort o' way
An' I can't tell what all happened
Fo' we tuk the tran fer home,
But there's one thing dat I can tell
1 wuz mighty glad to cum.
AN OPEN CONFESSION.
(In this selection the poet gives expression
to the sentiment that completely enveloped his
mind after he had become engaged to his
sweetheart, Kathryn, who is now his loving
and devoted wife, and to whom this poem is
dedicated.)
L
Believe it or not; you may think it's a rhyme,
But I'm sighing and longing for you all the
time.
I may keep my eyes open, or hold them shut
tight,
But your smiles and your dimples are always
in sight.
II.
I may try to forget you and succeed for a
—18—
while,
But the moment I see 3rou again I go wild
With love and affection beyond my control,
For you fill all the space in my heart and my
soul.
III.
You say there are others and that may be true,
But after looking them over I find none like
you.
You're the purest and sweetest I've ever found
yet ;
There's not another like you in the world, I'll
bet.
IV.
But it's a very cruel fate that one soul must
yearn
For another that never gives love in return,
And the first soul knows that it's a slave until
death
To the love that it's filled with and draws with
each breath.
V.
I hope you will never experience such fate,.
That you'll always be lucky in choosing your
mate.
Don't love by another soul's choice or request,
But love whom your heart tells you you love
the best.
VI.
Be sure to love those whom you know will
love you,
And bestow your affections on those who are
true.
For love that is mutual between soul and soul
Is sweeter than honey and dearer than gold.
VII.
I'd be the happiest soul that ever breathed air
Were I the recipient of your love so rare.
But yield not thy love because it's my will,
For one-sided affection is sure to prove ill.
VIII.
But if you can make me the choice of your
heart,
If you feel that our lives would be lonely apart,
I would gladly go with you o'er life's rugged
road,
—19—
And wherever our home was would be love's
abode.
This poem was written in honor of one of
the author's friends by the name of Mr John
Hardwick, a prominent artist of Indianapolis,
Indiana.
A RISING YOUTH
The Negro youth is stepping fast
Towards his accorded place
Among the great and noble men
Who win in life's great race
Although the goal is far ahead,
The race is just begun,
We still have many strokes to make
Before our works is done.
Each man cannot his title place
Within some "Hall of fame."
But each can shower his highest praise
Upon some hero's name.
The time to speak our words of praise
Is while the heroes live,
Let them be benefitted by
The joy our praises give.
And each can help to fan the flames
Of soul inspiring fires
That sieze on our progressive men,
And strengthen their desires.
We need not go abroad to seek
Our noblest hearts and minds
At homes are brain filled to the brim
With natures best designs
There lives among us now a youth
Whose future should be bright
If he continues at his work
And strives with all his might.
This active brain has ventured out
Into the realms of art,
And in this great progressive world
Shall play a noble part.
—20—
His day has just begun to dawn,
His darkest hours are past,
Through patience and undying zeal
He views the sun at last.
Some day his title shall be read
Within the Halls of fame,
And awe inspiring works of art
Shall bear John Hardrick's name.
A PLEA FOR JUSTICE.
America, I call to thee
To hear a struggling people's plea.
A people who have loyal been
Through all your hardships thick and thin.
We've marched with you in war's array,
And shared your toil from day to day.
We've always answered to your call
To save Old Glory from the fall.
We are your brothers, not your foes.
We feel your sorrows and your woes.
Whate'er your needs, whene'er and where,
The Negro's help is always there,
And yet in some things we're denied
The rights which are each mortal's pride.
We have no voice in making laws,
No chance to plead our righteous cause.
Behold, we knock at Freedom's door!
How many times we've knocked before
And had that door shut in our face
As though we were a lawless race.
How humbly have we held our peace,
And waited for that time to cease.
No longer now our peace we hold.
We cry aloud with heart and soul.
Give us an ear, we must be heard.
Our souls with manhood now are stirred.
America, arise, awake,
From every man the fetters shake.
Let not injustice hold its sway,
But let Old Freedom win the day.
The doors of hope throw open-wide,
And let no mortal be denied.
Grant us the rights which you demand;
Extend to us a helping hand,
Let us go forward side by side,
—21—
Give us a chance to stem the tide,
And then this land shall truly be
The "Native country of the Free."
INSPIRATION.
I.
O Inspiration, who art thou that preys
Incessantly upon my heart and mind?
What transformation dost thou seek to make?
What lasting treasures would'st thou have
me find?
n.
From what unceasing fountain dost thou
spring?
And where, O where dost thou intend to
stop ?
Do thine ambitions soar to Paradise?
And dost thou hope to find each mountain
top?
in.
Pray, tell me, Inspiration, if thou can'st
What is thy mission and thine aim on
earth ?
Would'st thou environ every mortal man,
And make each humble heart of noble
worth ?
IV.
What would'st thou have me grasp and hold
in store,
Or to impart to this inquiring world?
What emblems would'st thou have me wave
on high?
What banners must my feeble hands un¬
furl ?
V.
At last I see what thou would'st have me do.
Throug'h mental vision, I my work have
learned,
And gathered from thine ever-flowing stream
The gems for which my heart and soul have
yearned.
VL
O Inspiration, fill me to the brim
With rich supplies from thy ne'er-ceasing
How,
And teach me to impart to all mankind
.Oft
The facts of life which thou would'st have
them know.
VIL
Grant me the power to review the past
And grasp the present ere 'tis past and
gone;
And for the future help me to prepare,
That when I go my work shall be well
done.
The following poem was written as a let¬
ter to the author's brother, William M. Col¬
lins Jr. shortly after the poet had entered
the High School at Macomb, 111. in January,
1908.
THE HIGH SCHOOL KID
When you got your graduation
From the High School you wuz glad,
But I'd simply like to tell you
This here kid's a High School Lad.
I've been a member of the High School
For a week or seven days,
And I aint defining riverlets
Nor seas nor gulfs nor bays
But I'm studyn' this here solid stuff
Called "General History,"
And many a thing is plain to see
That once was mystery.
And I guess I'll make you stretch your eyes
And stop all yer complainin'
When I say I'm takin' Botany
And Laboratory trainin'
And then too, there's my drawing work
I'm gainin' wisdom by it:
If you think you can outwit me
I'd like to see you try it
And let me tell you 'nother thing,
With all this knowledge seekin'
There's one more thing I'm bound to add,
And that's the art of squeakin'.
That last fantastic word I used
Is just my name for singin'
—23—
Thats when we kicls unlock our jaws
And send the words out ringin.'
If you wuz in that 'sembly room
You'd say we kids wuz crazy,
For we make every muscle work
And not a bone is lazy.
I guess I've said enough just now
I'll save the rest fer next time
Por fear I use up all the woirds
And leave none that will rhyme.
And if your wisdom aint increased
By this my humble letter,
And if this isn't sweet enough
Why next time I'll do bettah.
A TRIBUTE TO BOOKER T. WASHINGTON
Among the heroes of the race,
Whose names shall honored be,
Allow my humble pen to write
The name oi Booker T.
This name belongs to one who stove
To lift his fellow man
And aided by a Power Divine
Succeeded in his plan.
This gifted teacher has been called
To God's eternal rest
But still the memory of his work
Shall run from breast to breast.
How can his pupils e'er forget
The lessons he has taught
How can Tuskegee e'er forget
The change which he has wrought
Up from the depths of slavery,
Of poverty and shame,
Up from the rugged paths of life
This noted hero came.
Climbing the ladder round by round
Through faith and earnest prayer
He gained the topmost round at last
And found his glory there.
21—
But though success did crown his wofk
He was not filled with pride;
He cheered his humble fellow man
His heart was opened wide.
He loved to choose the humble start
To reach a higher plane;
He taught his pupils how to share
Each other's loss and gain.
He choose the smaller things of life
To teach the greatest truth.
He taught alike the high and low
The aged and the youth.
He taught the head and hand to work
Together with a will
He geared the hope to stand the test
Of life's hard-grinding mill.
Look from what depths Tuskegee rose,
What heights she has attained.
Whose was the labor and the toil
By faith and hope sustained?
It was our noble Booker T.
Who sleeps beneath the sod
That raised Tuskegee from the Clay
Throu faith and trust in God.
Peace to his ashes, noble prince
Loud may we sound his name
And may the memory of his work
Lift high each noble aim.
And may the paths which he has trod
Be filled by other men
Who like this firm undaunted soul
Will labor to the end.
HUMAN NATURE
It is natural for mortals
To begin to whine and fret
When they find they're wanting something
Which they think they cannot get
And sometimes we're crossing bridges
Long before they are in sight
And the shadow of a conflict
—25—
Puts our brightest hopes to flight.
Our anxieties are kindled
Like the flames of roaring fires
Till we witness the fulfilment
Of our wishes and desires.
We will spend whole hours in worry
Just to study out the way
We can master situations
And rise higher day by day.
We undertake to change conditions
Just to suit out plots and plans
And we try to figure problems
Which no mortal understands.
And a little opposition
Fills our hearts with doubts and fears,
And unless we are courageous
We'll exchange our smiles for tears
But with all our schemes and planning
We can't go ahead of time,
Which is ruled by our Creator
And his power is sublime.
And with all our human weakness
There's a chance for us to rise
When our vim springs up with us
And mounts upward to the skies.
And the path which looks so gloomy
Will be brightenend day by day
If we let our kind Creator
Settle things in His own way
And just what's intended for us
Will be brought about at last
When we grasp a hold of courage
And forget the dreary past.
THE WONDROUS STORY.
No task to me could be more sweet,
Than this endeavor to repeat,
To all the world the "Wondrous Story"
How Jesus left His home in Glory,
And came to earth in human form,
And in a manger low was born.
Although He came with humble birth,
There was in Him a priceless worth,
A search was made through earth and Heaven,
To find one worthy to be given,
To pay the debt which man iticurred,
Through violation of God's word.
God, the Creator of mankind,
Search as He would, could only find
One Heavenly Being, and that His Son,
To do the work which must be done;
The work of lifting fallen man,
Fulfilling God's redeeming plan.
And so His Own Dear Son He gave,
That through His dying He might save
A sin-cursed world which would be lost
Unless some creature paid the cost
This is the reason we are given,
Why Christ came down to earth, from
Heaven.
Three Shepherds herding in the plains,
Were startled by the Heavenly strains,
Of Angel voices in the skies,
And heavenly forms before their eyes ;
At first their hearts were filled with fear,
But soon were laden with good cheer.
Those Heavenly messengers came to bring
Good tidings of the new-born King;
"Peace upon Earth, to men good will"
We hear the echoes ringing still;
They told the shepherds where to find
The babe that came to save mankind.
Three wise men from the East afar,
Were guided by a brilliant star,
By following where it guided them,
They found the Babe in Bethlehem;
They gave Him precious gifts of gold,
And worshipped Him with joy untold.
And as they worshipped, so should we,
—27—
With thankful hearts so full and free;
And showing in each thought and act,
That we are mindful of the fact ;
It matters not how great or small,
Christ brought redemption for us all.
And as this child in stature grew,
He grew in heavenly wisdom, too;
In youthful years He taught the wise,
Unfolded heaven before their eyes;
Yet little did they really know
About the love which He did show.
How could their feeble minds expand
Enough to grasp and understand
The sayings which He taught to them,
This Wondrous Child of Bethlehem,
They, being filled with earthly thought,
Knew not the wonders God had wrought.
At home Christ lived a humble life
Preparing for His future strife
With Satan and a world of sin,
The burden of which He felt within.
At thirty years His work began,
Spreading the gospel to sinful man.
He healed the sick and raised the dead,
"The Bread of Life" to all He fed;
His life was filled with loving deeds,
He shared man's sufferings and his needs.
He showed how blessed it was to give,
Even more blessed than to receive.
With sacrifice His life was filled.
T'was His own precious blood He spilled
Upon the cross at Calvary
To pay our debt and set us free.
Then rose triumphant o'er the grave
To bless the world He died to save.
When He ascended into Heaven
Two precious promises were given—
The first, a comforter He would send;
The second, that He would come again.
So let us life out eyes toward Glory
And e'er repeat this Wondrous Story.
—28—
(This poem is a token of the great respect
and esteem which the writer holds for Rev.
E. A. Clarke, pastor of Allen Chapel A. M. E.
Church of Indianapolis, Ind., who, as the title
of the poem indicates, is an "Ideal Minister.")
AN IDEAL MINISTER.
I.
I don't believe in waiting till a man has passed
away
When there's noble things about him which
you truthfully can say.
It's too late to give him roses when he sleeps
within the earth,
But while he dwells among us that's the time
to speak his worth.
II.
So I call the world's attention to a servant of
the Lord
Who is living what he teaches from the blest
and Holy Word.
His examples and his precept side by side to¬
gether go
While he pleads with dying sinners to escape
hell's pain and woe.
III.
There's a feeling that comes o'er me when I
listen to his voice
Which my lips cannot interpret, but it makes
my heart rejoice.
He repeats the grand old story from the Man¬
ger to the Cross.
How Christ died for saints and sinners that
their souls might not be lost.
IV.
There's a pleading and a welcome which my
soul cannot resist
As he shows the Holy City looming up above
the mist:
And my mind is made to wonder how a soul
could be so dumb
To reject the invitation, "Whosoever will may
come."
V.
And his voice is soft and gentle and his heart
is open wide,
—29—
As he calls mankind's attention to the bleeding"
Saviour's side
And his words are plain and simple, yet have
meaning', depth and power,
And will sooth a downcast spirit in a dark
and trying hour.
VI.
When your soul seems overburdened with
life's endless toil and care
And the cross seems very heavy which your
weary soul must bear
And you long to hear the gospel which will
fan the Heavenly spark,
Come and sit and listen with me to the Rev¬
erend E. A. Clarke.
THE MONSTER BUM MUST GO
At last the tyrant Alcohol
Is swiftly losing ground;
We'll drive the monster till no trace
Of him can e'er be found,
Why should such deadly poison stay
Within a Christian land?
Why should it dare a human soul
To take a manly stand?
Must we be forced to tolerate
The dragging down of men.
And let this unrelenting fiend
Enslave them in his den?
Must human life be sacrificed
And hearts be fdled with pain?
And must this monster be allowed
To foil the human brain.
Are there no lips to cry aloud
Against this cruel foe,
And curb this ruthless, evil power
Of spreading sin and woe?
Yes there are many loyal hearts
Who stand for truth and right,
Who long to seal the tyrant's doom
And bring men to the light
By the Almighty's grace and power
—30—
They'll triumph by and by
And put the demon rum to flight
And make the nation dry.
GOD'S GLORIOUS CREATION
How oft' I ponder to myself
O'er all the wondrous works of God:
The works of Heaven and of earth,
And man's formation from the sod
No mortal wisdom can discern
The Wisdom of creation's plan,
Not even the angels e'er can tell
Of all the Father's love to man.
No human minds can ever hold
The Wondrous story full, complete
No human tongue can ever sing
Of all His mercies rich and sweet
How many lips have tried to sing
The grand old song to all the earth
About the glorious ports above
But all fall short of Heaven's worth.
I've gazed on natures golden store
To find earth's glories treasured there
And o' how much my soul has learned
Of God's Creation, wondrous fair.
What wondrous depths of mystery
Are found in eartii and in the seas
And in the deep blue sky above
To which no man has found the keys.
Each rippling stream however small
Doth hold a message deep and strong:
Each sprig of grass, each flower and tree
Doth sing to us a stirring song
Each leaf that flutters on the breeze
Some thought of Heaven doth unfold
In every note the song birds sing
Some part of Heaven's love is told.
Each clod of earth, each bit of clay
Doth hold a secret of God's plan
And every breath of human life
—31—
But speaks God's wondrous love to man.
The golden sun gives out its light
And seeks each mortal soul to bless
And e'en the clouds send forth the rain
To fill the earth with fruitfulness.
There's not a thing which life demands
That our creator doth not grant
He gives the streams of life and love
For which each human heart doth pant.
He justly deals with all mankind
Not even sinners are denied
Pie ever ready stands to bless
And calls the weary to his side.
How then can any soul deny
That there's a God above the skies?
If there's no God, then from what source
Do all these founts of life arise
All tribes and nations must confess
That there's a king who reigns above,
And fills the earth with rich supplies
From out his boundless store of love.
THE APPROACH OF SPRING.
Lovely, smiling April breaks the cold, still
watch of winter,
As the lovely, smiling dawn breaks the
silent watch of night.
She spreads a coat of g'reen o'er ground
which long was white.
And, treading lightly over Mother Earth,
She wakes the fiow'rets from their slumber
deep
And bids them raise their heads and take
a peep
Into this world of ours so wondrous fair,
She whispers a sweet message to the South¬
land far away
To welcome birds back to their Northern
homes,
And quickly, gladly, do they all obey.
She whispers to the leaflets on the trees
—32—
To live again and float upon the breeze.
Then, moving swiftly to the margin of the
frozen lake,
She breaks the icy prison doors that hold
it fast.
The brooklets leap forth gladly to partake
Of the warm sunshine which sweet Spring
has brought at last.
The shrubs and vines and flowers springing
forth
Sing out their praise and gratitude to
Spring.
Still sweeping on to colder climes of North,
Sweet Springtime makes the cold, bleak
forests ring
With songbirds' notes and whispers from her
breeze.
And rushing past Canadian forest trees,
She lengthens out the realms of Paradise
And reaches even to the frozen fields of ice
And brings the sleepy bears forth from their
caves.
Thus, many are the lives which Springtime
saves.
OLD FASHIONED LOVE
I wonder why old fashioned love
Is going out of style?
I wonder if it's just because
The world has grown so vile?
It used to be long years ago
Folks couldn't love enough:
Not only when life's path was smooth,
But when the road was rough.
They didn't marry in those days
For money or for fame;
Their union was a partnership
Where each one shared the same
And when they at the altar stood
To join as man and wife
It wasn't for a year or two
But they joined hands for life.
—33—
They didn't merely join their hands,
Their hearts united too.
They had that good old-fashioned love
That thrilled them through and through.
But nowadays the thing has changed:
True love is very rare;
And mere flirtation takes the place
Of being on the square.
Folks play with one another's hearts
As though they were but toys;
They choose their path o'er sorrow's ground
While searching for their joys.
And when life's storms begin to blow
Flirtation fades away;
But that old-fashoned love will last
When hairs are turning gray.
This new style love may suit some folks
And serve their purpose well,
But it will ne'er possess those charms
That make my bossom swell.
But for the love that stands the test
And makes life worth your while,
I'll take that good old-fashioned love
That's going out of style.
THE REIGN OF SUMMER
Summer comes with footsteps light
And beautifies the trees,
What grander scenes have crossed our sight
Than nature's friend then sees?
How glorious the land appears
That lays before our eyes
The sun smiles as it sends its beams
Down on us from the skies.
When summer comes it sheds abroad
Rich blessings for us all;
Especially when flowers bloom
And birds chirp and call
We join in with the songbirds' lays
—34—
And make the woodlands ring
Then little heads from nests will raise
And they too, try to sing.
The bright and glorious summer time
Revives each human soul,
And bids each downcast eye look up
And find a higher goal
(This poem eulogizes a choir belonging to
Wayman Chapel A. M. E. Church of Bloom-
ington, 111.)
A TRIBUTE TO WAYMAN CHOIR
I.
I has heard a lot o' music played by orchestry
and band,
An' it fills my haht with soul-inspirin' fire.
But I ain't heerd nothin' until yet that sounds
one-haf as grand
As de music that they sings in Wayman
choir.
II.
I has traveled o'er de country an' have sot in
many a pew,
An' has listened to a heep o' choirs sing.
But there's none uv 'em has ever made my
haht throb thru and thru,
Like de Wayman choir when its voices ring.
Ill
Some folks don't enjoy choirs, and they thinks
they're too high-tone,
An' dey'd ruther stick to these old fashion
songs,
Fer they thinks they're neaher hebb'n when
they goes the old time way
And won't let de choirs rise up where they
belongs.
IV.
But ouah stylish Wayman Chapel looks at
t'ings a dif'rent way,
An' it's comin' out o' darkness into light,
An' we're havin' high class music, for our choir
has the day,
An' we don't git any fu'ther from de right.
—35—
Some uv dem ole hymns has meanin's, an
cley's alright in their place,
But de worl' am startin new things evah
day. _
An' de choirs mus' advance lak othah things
and keep apace
An' not keep a stickin' to de ole time way.
VI.
Fus' class music is inspirin' an' upliftin' to de
mind,
An' it fans de sparks uv joy into a fire
An' it kindles flames of rapture in de souls of
all mankind,
When we hears it lak 'tis sung in Wayman
choir.
vn.
Sometimes when you're steeped in sorrow and
don't feel exactly right
And yuh thinks de worl' has turnt its back
on you,
An' 'magines all is darkness an' you feels de
need uv light,
Den is when dat choir thrills you thru an'
thru.
VIII.
Orchestras kin set me crazy an' a band can win
my charms,
An' pianer playin' almos' sets me wild;
But de music uv dat choir holds me spellboun'
to de las'
An' I sits an' gaze bewildered lak a child.
IX.
Music is a soothin' healer to an overburdened
mind
When you 'lows it to appeal to de soul;
Spesh'ly when 'tis sung with spirit and good
harmony combined,
As in Wayman choir, den 'tis good as gold.
X-
All dat's good in human nature seems to rise
in one bright flame
An' grows brighter with each charmin' tune
dey sings:
An' you's simply lost in wonder 'till you hardly
knows yo' name,
'Cause those voices seem to flow lak healin'
springs.
—36—
XL
We will have to give 'em credit fuh de effo'ts
dey puts forth
Fer to make our singin' what it orter eb,
Jes' encourage dem to think dat they're de bes'
there is on earth,
An' they'll grow to be the best', jes' watch
an' see.
BE JUST WHAT YOU ARE
I don't see no use in claimin'
To be more than what yuh are;
'Cause dis thing they calls pretenshun
Never takes you very far.
If you really 'mounts to somethin'
Folks will know it soon ernuff,
An' yuh never will convince 'em
Just by puttin' up a bluff.
An' you simply shows yo' ign'rance
When you tries tuh be so much.
Be yo'self, don't let pretenshun
Hold you firmly in its clutch.
Simply fill yo' own perzishun,
Do de ting dat's bes' fuh you;
An' what's fer yuh you will git it
'Spite of all yo' foes kin do.
I don't mean to be contented
Wid'out working for an aim,
But I means dat ev'rybody
Cannot gain a place o' fame.
An' you'se sho' to miss yo' callin'
An' you'll fail in what you do
If you'se imitatin' somethin'
That wuz never meant fuh you.
'Taint no use to git uneasy
'Cause you sees some otah man
Dat can rise a little faster
An' go highah than you can.
You jes' keep your humble station,
Let dat high up man keep his:
When you claim you're what you isn't
Den you isn't what you is.
—37—
ALLEN'S FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY
On broadway's sunny eastern side
For two score years and ten
Has stood our Allen Chapel
A Beacon Light to men.
Pointing the way to glory
Lending a helping hand
Proclaiming man's redemption
Through God's eternal plan.
Through fifty years of conflict
With Satan and the world
Our Allen Chapel still endures
Her banners are unfurled.
Founded on Christ the solid Rock
Upheld by God's right hand
The Holy Ghost its faithful guide
Long may our Allen stand.
Here many a soul has sought and found
Relief from sin and woe
Here found that peace and pardon
Which God's children only know
Here many a sinner has been made
To think upon his fate
And choose that path which upward leads
Towards Heaven's golden gate.
Here many a saint has found his joy
When the world no comfort gave
Here found that blissful happiness
Which follows to the grave
Many a servant of the Lord
Began his journey here
At home, abroad, where'er he calls
They labor far and near.
Many of Allen's saints have passed
Into the great beyond
They now enjoy a peaceful rest
Their work on earth is done.
If through another fifty years
Old Allen stems the tide
May each soul that she gathers in
—38—
Land safe on Cannaan's side.
0, may she to all sinners be
A safe and sure retreat
0, may she conquer every foe
And never know defeat.
Hallowed be this spot of earth
Till time shall be no more
And may the name of Allen spread
And ring from shore to shore.
A CLASS TRIBUTE
We are the Allen Boosters
And we're proud to bear the name
The things for which our Allen Stands
We stand for just the same.
We intend to give our service
For the good of all mankind
And we hope to set a standard
For the heart and for the mind.
We shall show the other classes
In our model Sunday School
What it is to have a purpose
And to reach it by a rule
We stand for truth and justice
And to conquer in the right
And we hope to win each victory
Not by power nor by might.
We rally to Our standards
With a simple faith and trust
And we know that we shall conquer
For we know our cause is just.
And our mission and our purpose
Is to win each soul we can
For the blessed Lord and Saviour
Who has died for every man.
We intend to drive old Satan
As the army of the Lord
Drove old Pharaoh's host before them
Just by trusting in His Word.
—39—
We have young and valiant soldiers
In our ranks and on the field
And our leaders are determined
That each sinful foe shall yield
We have many things before us
Which our feeble hands must do
While our hosts are marching onward
And our journey we pursue.
There are many souls now waiting
For a tender loving hand
To reach down and pull them upward
From the depths of sinking sand.
We will scale the walls of manhood
Lifting others as we rise
And we'll plant old Freedom's banners
'Neath the bright and sh'. iing sKies.
We will raise the name of Allen
High above each darkening cloud
And when Allen's hosts have conquered
We will sing our triumph loud.
This poem was written in commemoration
of the Fiftieth Anniversary of Allen Chapel
A. M. E- Church of Indianapolis Indiana,,
which was celebrated in April 1916.
This selection is a tribute to a large Sun¬
day School class in Allen Chapel A. M. E.
church of Indianapolis, Indiana.
EASTER PRAISES
Just as our Mother Earth responds
To the goodness of our King
So may we let our hearts rejoice
And tune our lips to sing.
Since Christ has proven His wondrous power
To conquer death's cold sting,
And robbed the grave of victory
We'll let our praises ring
O, let our utmost souls be filled
With gratitude and songs,
And let us render highest praise
To whom the praise belongs.
—40—
And each year as this day draws near
Repeat the joyous Story
How Christ has triumphed over death
With majesty and g'lory.
LIFE
Why do we strive so earnestly,
And toil in peace or strife?
Why do men battle face to face?
'Tis all to maintain life.
Why does the God of the Universe
His choicest blessings give?
Why yields the earth man's daily food?
'Tis all that we may live
Just what is life in its fullest sense
We never can explain
But the greatest gift of the human soul
Life ever will remain.
Life has its bitter and it sweets
Its laughter and its sighs,
Though often wrought with sad defeat
Life is our highest prize
Life cannot be one chain of bliss,
And if it thus should be;
No mortal would content himself
With such monotony.
Each side of life must have its turn
Our moments to employ.
And sorrow must engage our hearts
To teach the worth of joy.
The worst must mingle with the best,
To show that we must give,
The best of life that in us lives
That all the world may live.
Since life to us is freely given
Let life to others flow.
And take from none that precious gift
Which we cannot bestow.
Life like all prizes may be lost
May yield at any hour
—41—
To tbfet grim Reaper whose name is Death
May droop as a fading flower.
Though this be true let us not give up
Till the last dread hour arrives;
Let us strive to live as a part of the world
And have peace and content in our lives
For even the creatures that crawl in the dust
Will constantly strive to exist.
Then marvel not that our nature demands,
The things on which life must subsist.
As the worm is content with its home in the
ground
And the bird with its nest in a tree,
Let mankind inhabit his house with content;
And may all earth live happy and free.
LOVE
Think not that love is but one empty dream;
If so 'twould be planted :n the heart
That cradle rocks no things that merely
seem,
But of us makes our life ideals a part.
Love falls and rises, bends nnd sways :tis
true:
But if monotony should rule our lives,
How could that awkward ruler pilot you
Along the hopeful path which change con¬
trives?
Love raises high our intents and our
thoughts
And plays upon our heartstrings nobler
strains
Than many to which our minds give birth
And oftimes our lips give sweet refrains
It makes our hearts throb higher at its sway
Than other thoughts which rule the hu¬
man soul.
It places in our minds remembrance sweet
Of moments dear, whose joys can ne'er be
told.
—42—
THE LOVE LETTER
I seats myself wth pen in hand
To start a friendship letter
But ere I close friendship may change
To something really better
My thoughts take such a ramblin' course
My words are spoke at randum
And if you dosen't pay close heed
Yuh can't quite understand 'em.
And jest at this pertic'ler time
A flood of thoughts unceasn'
Is runnin' through my dazzled brain
While joy is fas' increasin'
My joy comes with each tho't o'you
An' yet it grieves me sadly
To think that you're so far away
For I wants to see you badly.
The weather here is rich and prime
With Springs sweet innovation
While nature in her brightest garb
Smiles down on all creation.
I guess I feels about as good
As one could dare expect
And hope that health and peace are yours
To cheer your intellect.
I mus' confess I feels a change
From friendship's conversation
Begin to creep into my thoughts
And gives a sweet sensaton.
Sweet thoughts of moments spent with you
Still fill my heart with gladness
An' of'en in my lonesome hours
Will banish care and sadness.
But thoughts of pastimes ain't enough
There mus' be somethin' dearer
The present finds me all alone
The future's drawin'. nearer.
I hopes we soon shall meet agin
With kindes' heartfelt greetin'
—43—
Tho* you won't realize like me
The joy of such a meetin'
I then check my sobs of grief
And cease my moanful sighm"
And find some pleasure in this life
And see the use o' tryin'
I of'en wish that you would spen'
Sometime, in deep reflection
Let cupid kindle in yo' heart
The flames of true affection.
I wish yo' thoughts and mine could blend
With mutual satisfaction
An' that our two hearts could unite
As one without infraction.
I'm almos' near the boilin' point
My heart is overflowin'
To speak it plainer yet I'll say
My love for you is growin'
These words, dear one, to you may seem
Quite strong and outward spoken
But if my thoughts were not expressed
My heart would soon be broken.
I can't express quite all I thinks
But simply make brief mention
-To show how thoughts of you have gained
My uppermost attention.
I brings these facts befo' your mind
For yo* consideration
With hopes that you an' me may have
A reconciliation.
With hopes that some brief thought o' me
Will find you like a fetter
An' hopin' that you'll answer soon
I close this friendship letter.
P S. Regards to all the friends
*Yo' fam'ly in the number
Tell them I'll give their hands a shake
Sometime this comin' summer.
—44—
THE IDEAL ORATOR
With all the skill that man can well' attain,
With all the ease and eloquence of art,
He climbs the heights of oratory fame;
He elevates the mind and soothes the
heart.
Not with a brush but with his fluent speech
He paints the image of the great success
Which every mortal man that breaths may
reach,
And scale the lofty peaks of happiness.
He dives into the scientific stream,
And treasures up the gems of language
sweet,
And wreathes the laurels which in splendor
gleam
Across the path of life to guide our feet.
He fathoms deep the oceans of research,
Unearths the treasured gems of intellect
His mind traverses areas of though,
He gains the height of manhood and re¬
spect.
QUEEN WINTERS RULE
Winter breathes her majesty
Above the breath of Fall
Then Southern climes have reasons good
Their song troops to recall.
And then the birds who fear the Queen
And her approach resent
Again preceive the monarch stern
On their destruction bent
They laugh and scorn at winter's pride
And her elated smile
Toward home they fly in seas of air
With Joy they end each mile.
The Queen enraged at their escape
Sends down revengeful showers
Of rushing winds upon the trees
And strips the leafy bowers
In quest of her devouring work
—45—
She searches orchards round,
And findng all the fruit is gone
Bequeaths Jack-Frost the ground.
And soon she gathers up her thoughts
To make a woodland roam:
The squirred discerns her swift advance
And scrampers to his home.
To take a peep into his home
A secret would unfould,
His house is stored with daily food
And he defies the cold.
The Queen percieves the uselessness
Of knocking at his door;
So on she hastens in a blast
And hurls the leaves once more
In haste toward prairies wide she sweeps
And seeks to gain a pass
With joy she thinks Jack-Frost her friend
Has killed the fading grass.
It may be late in Springtime, ere
This thought shall be remember,
But nature then unveil's the truth
And Jack-Frost is reproved.
THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT
'Tis once again the bells ring out
And sound their sweetest chime;
Again our hearts are filled with cheer
Because of Christmas time.
But let us ever bear in mind
Although our hearts are glad,
That we should share our happiness
With some one who is sad.
For many are the weary souls
Within our own broad land
That long for soft caresses
From a gentle, loving hand.
And let our souls be filled with prayer
For those bowed down in grief;
—46—
For those who feel the sting of war,
With no hope for relief. •
No matter what our gifts may be,
No matter what they cost,
Unless our hearts go wth the gifts
Our blessings will be lost.
So let us spread the Christmas cheer
To each one whom we can
And let our hearts sing "Peace on Earth,"
"Good will to everyman."
PERSONAL EXPERIENCE
There are so many things to learn
In going round from place to place,
And there are some things we should shun
And other things we ought to face.
No man can always have life smooth
And no man always has it rough
There's just enough of both mixed in
To make life's pleasures sweet enough
I've gone about considerably
And tasted of both sides of life
I've had my heart all filled with joy
I've tasted agony and strife
But when I stop to sum it up,
Compare my losses with my gain,
I find that I've been greatly blessed
And I forget the grief and pain.
And so I've gone from place to place.
In search of happiness and peace
I've sought experience which perchance
Would cause my wisdom to increase.
I've tried to scale the walls of hope
In spite of obstacles I face
Endowed with a determined will
To still pursue life's steady race
Though I may never reach the top
Or gain the height that I desire,
Buif still my soul shall be aflame
With everlasting zeal and fire }
-41— -