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Show jhfo It but a scrap of" raff; j This symbol which we call the flag, ill A'1011 of cotton, over-rull. V v ff A worm'B cocoon, a sheep's lont wool? V SV 'V J A 3fcrap of But ln Itfl seams nS . Are stitched men's memories and dreains;xs ' '- " ' And drum and trumpet, lyre and harp NI ft, A (i ; Are woven, in its woof and warp; r And pregnant hopes and deep desires. Vw7 ) Lovod of our sons as of our sires. - V . How shall yon tear its threads apart , t , Who&e shuttle is a peoplo's heart? Wj What Is it but a dash of dye " BISIa wh'ch we havo streaked across the sky, w!13yF rj&gg Making obeisance, proud but prone. $aP?H : As heathen to their gods of stone? flji HI A dash of dye? But so appears s g p The color of our faiths and fears, 1 s 5 Oar toll and turmoil toward' the light, I - Our wounds of wroug in quest of right. g H s And when our wounds aro turned to scars -H .gag. Wc symbolize them into stars! -r lr So "ot the symbol makes demands. Uii?if j W But that for which the symbol stands. ' jwjj '- I'v What is it but a gasp of gush lv i SI To which wje how the while we hlush, jiij y.fj A song, a pharse, a shibboleth Wj I To lure men even unto death? j' f vy So be it, then, and rest content. T U For what is life but sentiment? y ." r o Wo live, we love and through the years Q s T Our smiles aro salted of our tears. "J Strength dies, Love weeps, hut turns away .. ; To guard a Iaughirig child at play, " I i I . And, playing, spies ,(;ho flab above . ---v r---'" ! N-rH - - Wtol!:.mbo U IfeaniUove. .:.aftfsJ5iB5SUS-w - - (Copyi-ight; "1020, i. JB. A.) |