Elmira District Secondary School - Oracle Yearbook (Elmira, Ontario Canada)

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28 THE ORACLE wlofefo fFirst Prize Junior Poemf When in the woods on a bright spring day, I came to some violets laughing and gay, The violets were in their best array To grace the woods, on that bright spring day. They twinkled and twinkled like the stars That shine, and make the eve's sky bright, And when I lo-oked again it seemed Each tiny violet was a light. And now when through the woods I go, No violets catch my wandering eye. I often wonder how it is That such pretty flowers have to die. me Qfooa of cn winfczlo Qbcuj As I sit here at my window, Gazing far as eye can see, A thousand sparkling snowflakes Are sifted down to me, A thousand sparkling diamonds blow Across the hardened crust of snow, Like spray upon the sea. And I marvel at the blue sky, The trees of stately height Throw long and bluish shadows, Which interpose the light, The long and bluish shadows seem Darker, longer . . . for they mean The fast approaching night. at yonder hills by crests of pines, by roof-top beckons, makes straggly lines, friendly roof-top seems to show The inner warmth from the fire-side's glvws A light from the window shines.. And I sit here pondering deeply, Watching darkness o'er me close Its swift though quiet hngers, As every window glows, Its swift though quiet fingers creep 0'er yonder yields and far-of steep, Leaving all in deep repose. -MARGARET LU'rz, XI -HELEN KUHL, IX A C?O'Yl'l.'LG.aQO The fiames leap upward, upward still, The clear night air is cold and chill, Above the bonfire's flames of red A million stars cold brilliance shed. The sparks fly higher, higher, high Above the trees, into the sky, W e're happy as we watch their flight, For we are comrades all, tonight. And though the flames die slowly, slow, And leave the embers' fainting glow, Our friendship does not die that way- W e're comrades all, comrades to stay! -DOROTHY HILL, XI 6ff1.gYCl41Cf England I That name we hold so dear, Home of the dauntless, home of the free, Known to the lands both far and near Protector brave on land, air, and sea. England! The name strikes dread and fear To those who hate the Union lack, Those who at our empire leer Our Mother Country must attack. Friend of the weak and helpless, she, Land where democracy grows each day. England, brave isle, we pledge to thee Our help, our hope, our faith, for aye. -ALICE HENRICH, XI

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THE ORACLE Qt glgfvifiioli Qouragel fFirst Prize Senior Poemj Hold high the banners! let the drums be roll'd For those staunch Englishmen who set the stride, And let this story not remain untold- Of English womanhood-of strength and pride. Another day has come-the cold grey dawn Creeps cautiously into the darkened sky, And silently we watch our men of brawn Bring in the planes,-and count them as they fly. The first, and then the second o'er the way Droning, they seem to form a steady stream, To which our hearts pound words we cannot safy: 'cl f his plane doesn,t come, -of this we dream. Those dreadful words that fill our hearts with fear Our nights with dread,- Some day that very plane, Which he so proudly drives and holds so dear, May not come backv-we must be brave and sane. And then a voice the silence breaks with trial: He's missing-see, his plane is not in line, He's not among the men who sadly file Along the walk, we all know that's a sign . Then all must look, each in her heart must say A He's there, thank Coda' except that one, who turns Toward the door-swiftly to make her way And hide the tear that 'neath her eye-lid burns. The sun has come-its glory fills the sky And reaches down to see a lonely heart That says with sadness: Thus he wishes to die For his dear country-I must do my part. And so I'll carry on in that same work For which my husband gladly gave his lifeg God give me strength my duty not to shirk Until the world is- freed of pain and strife. Hold high the banners-let the drums be roll'd For those staunch Englishmen who set the stride, And let this story not remain untold- Of woman's heartbreak, and of strength and pride. -VIVIAN HOFFER, XII

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THE ORACLE 29 fx ..A,, Ng je , Irqq A' ' ,, ' a r 0 r ....1 .- ..... 1 I 3,5 .. .. THE FARMERETTES Another group of girls who have done the country a noble service is the farmerettes. There were nine brave girls from our school who ventured forth into the fruit-picking world, and found them- selves stationed at St. David's-many miles from home and only six miles from the United States! These girls did man-sized jobs of thinning and picking peaches, picking cherries, plums and raspberries, they were even known to thin raspberry bushes! St. David's is probably the only place where Elmira girls have ever been known to eat cherry- pie by the soup-bowl and drink water smelling of gasolineg but they really worked for their appetite. Many of the girls have intentions of going back again this year-and to St. Davidis-but that first year will be an outstanding one in their memory and they can still be heard reminiscing over those good old times. Good luck to you, would-be f armerettes ! There was an additional number of boys and girls who worked on the home farm or on local farms of friends and neighbours. Don't forget the courageous city lads who worked so diligently on Mr. Sauder's- mangolds! For these people the farm work was more hum- drum, and not so exciting as it was for the St. David's gang, so we salute those thirty young people! There were, too, twelve energetic workers in factories and stores and five toiling office people who deserve just congratulations. OUR JUNIOR RED CROSS The Senior girls' branch of the Junior Red Cross here at E. H. S. has by no means been an inactive group. The girls have busied themselves with knit- ting for the armed forces. Yes-they have made khaki tuck-ins and turtle- neck sweaters, plain service socks and seamen's socks, they have even sewn on the leather palms of sailors, mitts, and even helmets and scarfs have been tackled. The group has endeavoured to make a good showing and the days to come will bring an ever-increasing rise in its contributions to the Senior,Red Cross. Carry on, girls, your wof His noble! JUNIOR RED CROSS PRINCESS ELIZABETH BRANCH The Princess Elizabeth Branch of the Junior Red Cross has been very active sewing and knitting for the armed forces. Altogether we have made ninety face cloths, seemingly endless yards of army and navy scarves, and nightgowns and pyjamas for refugees. At 'present we are knitting four afghans and out- fitting a refugee child. Soon we expect to be making several layettes, and a quilt.