Branksome Hall - Slogan Yearbook (Toronto, Ontario Canada)

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22 The Branksome Slogan STORM The wind drives up from the North sweeping the dust and wind high in a scurry of whirlwind ; The sun sinks dull and ned into fly- ing bands of cloud ; The sea pounds on the rocks fling- ing the sipray on the pebbles, Dragging them back to itself, sing- ing the coming of the storm. The fisherman drags his boat to a higher place on the beach ; The housewife closes the shutters against the rain. The briigantiine cleaves the waves with the surf streaming behind her. And only a single jib to pull her safely home. The sturdy cargo-ship draws away from the port ; The last signals given she puts her bow to the storm; The screw spins in the air as the sea breaks over the head- lights, Blinding the man at the wheel, who holds her true to her course. The sea gathers its strength and crashes on wall and highway, Washing fonndations out, till buildings dissolve into sand. Force immieasurable. Force of wind and ocean, Is there any force so mighty, so full of awei and dread? Yet the ship sails on through the gale. Turns not from its destination. Driven through the hazard toy a greater force. Immeasurable, Unconquerable, The Spirit of Man. BRENDA CRUIKSHAINK (Form IV L). LITTLE COLT Little colt, open your eyes. Look at the big world around; The hot sun which streams in rays. And the green grass o ' er the ground. Little colt, arise and walk. Wouldn ' t you like to gambol? Gather up those legs, which seem So long and hard to handle. Little colt, do not sleep. You can play as well as we, Come and play and run with us, Chase the haughty bumble-bee. Little colt, be not sad. Give thanks for Hf e in the land The good God has given you. To live in, and to love.

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The Branksome Slogan 21 Canada was guarded during her infancy by a watchful and tolerant mother, who punished her for her mistakes and rewarded with praise. The greate ' st reward came in 1931, when in the Statute of Westminster, England gave to Canada her complete autonomy. Thus a troublesome child had grown into a wise and trusted adult, inheriting all the best quantities of her renowned mother and at the same time developing fine, new traits. Canada stands like a hopeful, confident youth, trusting in the future, anxious to obtain the best of what the world has to offer. Will my country, glorious in her youth, be denied her rightful place in the world, or will that world be dominated by those who give no op- portunities to ambitious young nations? I believe there is reasonable hope for the future of Camada, if Canadians stand together. ' ' If there must be sorrow and trouble, let it be in my day, that my children may live in peace and iprosperity. Those words spoken so long ago by Lin- coln, to-day echo the prayer of all Canadians for the future of Canada. Lincoln, the great Emancipator, defined humanity ' s greatest dream, democracy, in his famous words, ' ' Government by the people for the people, of the people . We, in the Western Hemisphere, have created democracy in its truest form and have raised it from a dream to ireality. We, the people, must keep the light burning brightly. We must sacrifice all in order that everything we hold dear, Shall not perish from the earth . Our democracy is not perfect! Canada is not ideal! We must realize that our fight for the British Empire is a glorious crusade to defend humamity, Christianity, and decency and that Canada despite her faults is worth dedicating our lives to. What does Canada mean to me? I love the beautiful scenery, the climate, and the great industries and vast resources, but the thing I cherish most is my freedom. Freedom of speech, thought and religion, fair government, they are what matter most. Canada, to me, means all that is fine and decent, and in this darkened world, a promise of light for the future. BETTY DUNCAN (Form IV L). Rehearsal for the Gym Review

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The Branksome Slogan 23 A PRAYER FOR ENGLAND Of all the things I ask of Thou, 0 God, Of all the pleas ascending to Your throne. Grant that this one, this cause of English hearts Which has our prayers, may also have Thine own. Grant this, 0 Lord, that England ' s forests deep, Her purple nfiountaims and her ramibling streams. Her misty valleys and her gentle fields Where poets wandered weaving wondrous dreams. The hidden hamlets and the city streets. Her rolling downs, her rose-em- bowered lanes. Her birds which joyful fill the air with song. Her frieindly sunshine and her welcome rains. Her churches and her castles his- tory bound. The tomb wherein the unknown warrior lies. The twilights and the splendour of her dawns. Her people and her childrens ' trusting eyes. Of all the thiings I ask of thee to grant — Grant this, 0 Lord, that these may never see The hated symbol of an alien flag, The horror of a conquering enemy. SHIRLEY SHOEBOTTOM (Form V A). IT HAPPENED IN SEPTEMBER One night, above the Midlands, Above the Sussex downs. Above the Kentish villages. And the sprawling West-coast toiWHiS : Over London, over Plymouth, And over Exmoor ' s heights. Over the whole of England Flared up the Northern lights. They spread their fiery streamers Of scarlet-staining light From Aberdeen to Blackport, From Kew to Isle of Wight : And I, all England watching From the quiet cliffs of Kent, Saw their beauty and their splen- dour And wondered what they misant. It was rumoured that their coming Brought bloodshed, death, and wars. And, low on the horizon. Hung the blood-red war-star. Mars. ANNE DOBSON (Form VS).