Oakwood Collegiate Institute - Oracle Yearbook (Toronto Ontario, Canada)

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KJkif They say we ' re bad; how do they know? We just live our own lives, but they try to put us down. Why? I don ' t know. We ' re friends with the whites; we ' re friends with the blacks. We only go by what we believe And that ' s what this damned society lacks. They ' re friends to our faces. They talk behind our backs. To the sane ones, they are a disgrace. Those are the bloody facts. Don ' t ask me why. They think they ' re the ones on top: So superior and right If only they knew People talk behind their backs too!! Don ' t ask me why — ask them. Xc(e A colourful valley close by a stream, Illuminated by bright sun beams; God who wanted this haven free Forbade the devil to corrupt the tree; A perfect valley, free from strife — But hold it, man! This ain ' t life! It ' s People killing in God ' s name. People dying for glory and fame; Crosses burning in the night Just to keep America white. Battlefields red with God ' s life gift. Hopeless causes and lives a-drift; People starving day by day. Gluttons eating in the U.S.A. Asians killed with the white H-bomb (Today it ' s slower with Napalm); People sinning every day — Redemption? That ' s the clergy ' s pay. Babies born — baptized in church — Hitler, too, had an innocent birth; White killing White, the Red, now Black, White hands never get paid back. People dying for want of cures. No money for that — it ' s blood that lures — Men are born, live, suffer, die, What does it all signify? Now you ' re talking. This is life. Bert Williams 12B 61

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Wendy Toronto u)o lotmi 0 ScefiUam No. 1 Pretty pictures on the wall, Dramatic music in the hall, Ah! Life ' s a real Ball — But the ball don ' t bounce! No. 2 Man is man as we all know, A humanist he ' ll never be. Says Freud, it ' s the libido That makes me go and grow. But you and me want to be free. Don ' t want to be told what to know. Damn what they think of our pleas. I was once like you, my boy, Just a stooge! Don ' t worry, boy. Be practical. Here I am waiting and debating The process of dying starts at birth So maybe I ' ll have to wait Before I see the light; And degenerate to the common level To be, at last, right. Myron Zarry 12B Somet t ? JLoui(j d«uj My friend why do you sit in sadness there, And stare at lighted candles in the sky? I pray you come and tell me whence and where The one you loved and cherished so did fly. Abounded by a sea of pitch and gloom. And sheltered not from hail nor rain nor sleet; You sit in silence waiting for your doom. My friend come here the joyous sun to greet. Let not your melancholy shade prevail; Let not your heart be torn in two. So feed your soul with vibrant strength and flee To where you find your spirit can be free. Donald Dunn IIC Tie UcUou I am induced to write poetry. They want originality And I see before me J. Alfred Prufrock. He ' s not mine. But they want originality. So I see Sweat running into Slant, spectre eyes, A lump of ice — Solid substitute for a heart; And what for a bram? Coal? A sponge? Better a rock not to absorb And translate hurt. A dove ' s iridescent back; He belongs to Marianne Moore. I tear myself from knowledge of Real Poets, And I see White-caps rushing home Lemming-like to be repelled Now and always; A cool breeze caressing a fevered cheek, And greenness — sameness oneness And the goat-footed balloon man whistles Far And Wee Lannie Fram 12B 60

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On, akituj Jietick - jLtMt Leave-taking is an art which has been practised with more or less success ever since schools were first opened in the dim past. Every wayfarer on the not-too-primrose path of learning has, at some time or other, tried to absent himself (dare I say herself?) from vari- ous boring classes which intensify the tedium of the curriculum. Success in these intriguing adventures depends largely upon the individ- ual ' s ability and resourcefulness. The most successful leave-taker is one with a nonchalant manner and a convincing smile which can be turned on and off like a light, a person who, when his heart is doing a half gainer into his boots, can smile pleasantly at a suspicious teacher and pass the time of day without a quaver, a person who is confident of his powers of bluff and the ability to keep a straight face when necessary. Be sure to be going somewhere. Not that you must have a definite destination, but you must seem to have one, for then you will pound down the hall without arousing suspicion as to your real motive. Think of the commotion which would be raised if you were found tip- toeing in the corridor. However, do not become over-confident or let your exuberance get the better of your judgment; joyous outbursts will create too much interest. Intentio ns of skipping should remain a strictly personal secret. Never tell of an intend- ed escapade, as it may lead to failure. A prac- tical joker may take advantage of you; even your best friend may let slip a knowledge of your whereabouts, thus breaking up a beautiful friendship and causing embarrassing moments for you. However, friends are an asset, especi- ally when one of them is carrying the attend- ance pad. To have access to this record of mis- deeds and to be able to work on it to your own benefit will produce a glorious feeling of secur- ity when you are entering the class which follows the period of your leave-taking. John Brownlee HE CLui Old Dianne Cekelis IIG 62 He set the world before me. And like a young bird put to flight I was to select my own route To find life ' s dream and height. He placed me at the crossroads. Paths led either way, I stood and looked, bewildered. Which would lead to day? The right view was enticing: The invitation of the trees, The fragrance of the blossoms And the murmur of the leaves. Then I turned toward the river. There the midst blinded my view. Mountains cast a shadow On the path I might pursue. He set the world before me, And like a young bird put to flight I was to select my own route To find life ' s dream and height. Sheila Rogow 12B