TO US

  O petty trifles!  Why cling to us so? 
  Our time in doing small things quite consumed,
  And hearts protected like earth worms encased,
  Always singing childish songs, sol me do,
  And crawling safe in shady vales below,
  Like snails advancing, scoff and hurt endured,
  Dead there upon the rack, no port secured. 
  O brother plant, some grains of corn will grow! 
  The faithful farmer sows live fertile seed. 
  Be not a grub but rise and stretch hands up
  When on the height reach down to troubled friend,
  And lift your fellowmen, toil not for greed. 
  Wash out the grounds and fill the empty cup. 
  The rose will bloom where rocky pathways wend.

THE FLY AND THE SPIDER

  The big black fly was in a sorry plight;
  She hung and dangled in a spider’s web. 
  It was too late to make a hurried flight. 
  The sand is sifting and the tides will ebb.

  The spider then drew dose his silken thread,
  It was no use to ask the reason why. 
  He only wished to eat and save his head,
  And he must catch his breakfast, or die.

HER GOOD BYE

  I love you, Darling, sweetheart mine,
  Our troth is pledged, O joy divine! 
  With apple blossoms in my hair
  I hope and breathe a fervent prayer
  To keep my trust all down the years,
  And love you always through the tears. 
  O heart of mine, my feet do sing
  As down the aisle into the Spring
  Of bursting bud and lilac time,
  Of budding trees and robin rhyme,
  So tenderly, Dear, I love you. 
  In happiness I go with you
  Now in sunshine to follow on
  And into dark when you are gone. 
  Then back again from misty night
  And at the dawn in coming light. 
  At sunup when the Japs are caught
  You will come when the battle’s fought. 
  And then glad shouts the whole day long,
  With ringing bells ’ten billion strong.

HILLS AND VALLEYS WAKE

  My ears have heard the larks at dawn,
  Their bright sweet carols sing,
  With burst of morning sun
  And all the meadows ring.

  My eyes have seen the shining gold,
  That rimmed a purple cloud,
  And sheets of olive green there spread,
  While night puts on a shroud.

  And in the east a moon that gleamed
  With grey blue light and sheen,
  On misty, drooping willow trees,
  O fair and silent scene.

  These are not half the things I see
  On lovely nights and brilliant days,
  It seems that hills and valleys wake
  To make such holidays.

MORNING THANKSGIVING

  We thank our God this Autumn day,
  As birds are waking in the vale,
  For health and strength to walk his way,
  Let justice and peace prevail. 
  And for this food that’s waiting here,
  Now fill our hearts with faith and love;
  And bless our loved ones far and near,
  O God, our Father up above.