Ypsilanti High School - Ypsi Dixit Yearbook (Ypsilanti, MI)

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We clambered in as if we'd been told Of nothing except the city of gold, And, as the witch her magic wand waved, We were off on Life's River-to be lost or be saved. For El time we glided swiftly along The waters o'er which huge willows hung, Their brown feet bathed by the cooling stream And surrounded by ferns and mosses green. But soon this beautiful way became dim, As the clouds were seen between branch and limb. One way was dark except for a Hash Q Of lightning that frequently by us would dash Into the woods where the tree tops were swaying, As if they would fain from their trunks be straying. Our small barque was dashed from side to side Like a small pith ball on an ocean tide. Some became frightened and called out in terror, Turn back, back to our homes, where forever We may dream of the beautiful city Success, And with life have comfort in place of distress. Between dashing of waves and flashing of lightning. We heard the voice of the old witch with trembling: Remember my words, 'It will cause you distress, But with triumph and glory'you'1l at last reach Success

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The now distant murmurings of the stream Qnickened our steps. as if 'roused from a dream. We hurried along, paused not even to think, Until we at last stood staunch on the brink That o'erhung river and mossy ravine. Such loveliness never before had we seen. As we stood watching the river flow, A peculiar sound came up from below, It was as a sound of far distant seas- An angells hand playing life's major keys. As we gazed about, only seeking a way To find the source of the mysterious play, We saw at a distance from where we stood A narrow path wendiug its way through the wood. Hastening over the rough, rugged ground Through the dark, dense way, very soo11 we found Ourselves at the side of the glistening river ' Which seemed only a stream until We were nearer. We listened again for the sound we had heard, When all of a sudden We caught the word, HO ho, I guess you've lost your way, What y' doin' 'round here this time o' day? We turned about and looked up to the left NVhere we saw an old liag looking sad and bereft. While her fingers in the Water did play, And we stood astounded when we heard her say: Do you know where you are? 'Tis the River of Life. You may have evil or good-just a matter of strife. Aha. don't you laugh, it's a life or death case- Follow mel Follow me! I'1l show you the chase To the wonderful golden city 'Successf It will cause you sorrow. pain, and distress, But he who is brave, it is you. I beseech, Come with me and the top round of Life's Ladder reach Is the city Success of which you tell Open to all who successfully will Reach the end of this River of Life, And withstand all the pain and tumult and strife? It is open to all who do not turn back, Nor courage, nor bravery, nor virtue lack. So saying she brought from her cave so dark, A rude, rough shack that she called her barque. Now, who will go, come all who are brave, And stand with me here near my cave. I'll go, I'll go, cried all in chorus As the hag drew the rude barque up before: us

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So saying we again continued our course 'Mong the Waves which now had lost much of their forceg And while we sailed on with no cause for fear, Still, dreading those things that might be near, We wondered if we, as the Witch had said, Would linally win if we went ahead. Thus as we voyaged the River of Life, Were we ever face to face with strife. Monsters would place themselves in our path And scan our barque with eyes of wrath. Huge boulders would fall from overhead And clouds of mist o'er us would spread. Falls and rapids impeded our way - And dark, dismal caverns would lead us to say, Life is a weary, Weary way, . But one from which none wish to stray. At last after pain and care and toil We had reached the end of life's turmoil And stood, everyone, at the gates of Success, Waiting the privilege to possess - The joys that are encompassed Within, To lose sight of the ever dreaded sin. The hag stood before us with wand uplifted, And straightvvay she spoke with a voice that seemedigifted My friends, you are safe at the city of gold