DECORATION DAY Selmer Grovdahl

Was that a whispering wind I heard today?

It must have been the wind—but still What strange emotion thrilled my soul As "Taps" re-echoed from a distant hill.

Was it the wind that softly sighed in sympathy That caused each flower in reverence to bow,

Or was it spirits springing from the earth Escaping from a lonesome tomb somehow.

Emerging for a while to join unseen The gathered throng and hear each glowing word, To view again all things once held so dear To disappear content and well assured.

Assured the torch they valiantly flung When blazing death engulfed them in its bag,

Is still aflame and marching up the years, Enduring peace and freedom; Hail the Flag!

THE LEAF by

Jean Felix

I plucked a leaf from a greenwood tree,

And then I took it home with me

For all my kith and kin to see. Pretty Leaf!

But they had gathered flowers fair With which my leaf could not compare,

And it was but an aspirant there. Lonely Leaf!

My leaf grew wan, and withered soon,

Its whole existence cast in gloom,

And we could see its fated doom. Dying Leaf!

We cast it out into the street,

It was trampled on by passing feet,

And there it lay in its defeat. Lifeless Leaf!

My wanton act I often rue.

Oh, how I wish I could undo

And leave the leaf where once it grew. A Living Leaf!