Brockton High School - Brocktonia Yearbook (Brockton, MA)

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CLASS POEM '7fxe Jfope of '44 by WilliamIMacGowan ln the Prehistoric days, at the dawn of Earth's Creation, When the sun with regal powers Sent abroad o'er earth and sea its dazzling rays, The Asiatic rulers, with magic sorcery, Held the subject people in a slavish sway. Lo! from the jungles, From the forests in the Fifteenth Century, A. D., The traders brought the news, that a spark of light had risen, A guide to the book of learning By which the subject people could escape the Asiatic rulers. The world in the modern era has grown sleek with wealth, And learning no longer grows apacep But man has become a robot, with a mechanized, repulsive face, Though the vital spark of learning Still shines to guide the way. Today a fearful struggle between light and pagan rites, Is waging in the very jungles and deserts of old, Where the traders first heard the news that Civilization and Learning Had become the rule of earth. The fight in the jungles and deserts Grows fiercer day by day, But the soldiers who answered the call To free the light of learning, Will never let darkness fall. They will win the battles In the jungles and in the deserts too, Where the traders first heard the new Which rnust free A horror-stricken world anew. 29 s of the light of learning

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Our government is trying desperately by providing, now, for post-War living to Ward off the calamity of depression and unemployment which has marked our previous wars. At present there are innumerable bills before both houses of Congress to provide higher education, unemployment benefits, hospital care, and business loans for our returning veterans. No stone will be left unturned in our attempts to restore normal living. The problem of peace which is today troubling our World leaders will soon be a personal problem for all of us. Our class motto, Youth our claim, peace our aim, establishes a goal for us to reach. Great responsibilities and many weighty problems are involved in the successful attainment of this goal. This peace must be fair and just to all people-personal prejudices will have to be forgotten. This peace must, above all, be lasting! After studying conditions and drafting plans, we must back them up with force and determination. At the present, most plans for future peace are indefinite, since the business of War is so pressing and urgent. lt is quite evident, nevertheless, that We must be thinking sanely and seriously of the problems after this War. We of this graduating class are very young in vision, but we are strong in faith-faith in our fellow-students, our leaders, and, above all, in ourselves. We know only too Well the grave responsibilities which are ours-the winning of the War, the winning of the peace. The way will be long, and many obstacles will have to be overcome along that journey. Perhaps many times We shall question the advisability of continuing to plod along this way in a seemingly vain search for victory. But we will fight on. The deeds of our forefathers are a shining example of valor and fortitude. lt will not be this youth who will break tradition. We accept this long, hard way. We accept it with a clear light in our eyes and a strong courage in our hearts. And We shall go on to Victory, God Willing! 28

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