Arthur Jordan Conservatory of Music - Opus Yearbook (Indianapolis, IN)

Page 33 text:

ODE TO SERVICE MEN The world is all aglow again — Not with sunshine ' s brightest ray Nor moonlight ' s magic beam — Not with brilliant light of day Nor evening ' s starlight gleam. No celestial, beaming glows Thus set the world afire, But base and treacherous, scheming foes Lit this macabre funeral pyre. Heavy-booted marching feet Sound in streets of distant lands. Relentlessly, a foe to meet Goaded by their thund ' rous bands. And in the air, the sky is black With birds of war that hunt their prey. Avenging birds rise to attack The evil force they hold at bay. And on the seas, by tempests tossed, By waves that rage and roar and foam. An enemy ' s vast flotilla ' s lost In Neptune ' s fathomless, silent home. The cup of fury has been passed From nations greedy with the lust For power, and slaves, and riches massed — For temporal dreams that turn to dust — To wronged innocents who sup. Their lips all wet with mud and gore, The avenging passion ' s bitterest cup — Human sacrifice, at Death ' s dark door. But girded strong with sword and shield — Faith in a just God ' s guiding hand — Our Service Men will make them yield; Their savage legions shall disband. This global fire shall do its work! These cleansing flames that sear the earth, Will burn the dross that in it lurk; And leave the gems — and prove their worth! — Mercedes Banks Russow.