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Show ..... FLYING A CLEAN FLAG (By Edgar A. Guest) This I heard the old Flag say As I passed It yesterday: , "Months ago your friendly hands Fattened me on slender strands And with patriotic love Placed me here to wave above You and yours, I heard you Bay On that long departed day; Flag, of all that's true and fine Ware above this house of mine; (be the first at break of day And the last at night to say Tc the world this word of cheer: Lcyalty abideth here. "Here on every wind that's blown Oer your portal I have flown; Rain and snow have battered me Storms at night have tattered me; Dust of street and chimney stack, Day by day have stained me black, And I've watched you passing there, Wondering how much you care. Have you noticed that your flag, la today a wind blown rag? Has your love so careless grow Ity the long neglect you've shown That you never raise your eye Tj the symbol that you fly? Flng on which no stain has been, 'Vis my siu that you're unclean, Then I answer in my shame, On my head must lie the blame. Now, with patriotic hands, 1 release you from your strands. And a spotless flag shall fly Here to greet each passerby. Never more shall flag of mine fcv a aad and sorry sign Telling all who look above -1 neglect the thing I love. Hut my flag of faith shall be Fit for every eye to see. t Copyright 1918 by Edgar A. Guest.) |