The Sea Is Singing

Since I have heard the music of the sea

I cannot bear to hear the voice of man

Mumbling discordant tones, for clear and free

The waves are chanting of a master-plan--

The earth a great Democracy of Love.

They sing the timeless lyric, "Peace, be still!

The God of Heaven watches from above

And wind and wave and man obey His will."

War drums will cease. The strength of wrong shall fail.

Wearing His shield, we shall erase the bars

Of hate and greed that right may yet prevail

And WORLD DEMOCRACY outlast the stars.

Above the clanging of the tongues of fools,

The sea is singing that the great God rules.

The American Bard

Hon. Men. World Peace and Unity Contest

Song for an Infant Son

O little man-child, sleeping on my breast,

I pray the carillons of peace will sound

Before the doleful drums disturb your rest;

Before a cross for you marks hallowed ground.

And yet my son, this grim, chaotic world

Whose greed's strong henchmen ride on crimson sod

Will some day see the flag of peace unfurled

And build a great imperium to God.

I wait the dawn to follow the dark night

Of horror, with the cross of Calvary.

You may behold, my son, the growing light.

One of the chosen builders you may be.

So sleep my darling, in your infant bliss,

For you may never feel the sword's sharp kiss.

The Emancipator

Hon. Mention in IWL Contest

Josephs in World Egypt

When Man returns to leavens of the plow

And walks with joy upon the fruited plain,

There will be no grief-burdened hearts as now

For God is found in singing fields of grain.

The Josephs in the Egypt of the world

Will ever keep the flag of peace unfurled.

Song for Fledgling Eagles

(To Our Missionary Youth)

O youth, you stand star-tall upon your dreams,
The destiny of nations in your hands.
Go, plant your lilies in cool crystal streams;
Erase the crimson stains from ravished lands.
Be now the weavers of the tapestry
Of freedom, making warp and woof skeins strong,
Its pattern flawless with democracy--
The strength of fledgling eagles is your song!
Your wings untried, speak from your hearts, though young,
Your voices tuned to live and love and laughter
Ring with a clearer and a truer tongue
A freedom lyric touching Heaven's rafter.

Chaste-strong, O youth, clasp hands with every race--
The vineyard also lies across the sea--
No matter what their creed or tint of face,
For God, through you, will build an empery
Of peace. His ensign to a troubled world,
Seek out the hungering ... the old ... the child ...
Till all humanity will see uncurled
His Royal Banner, and the atom mild
And gentle with its Atlas-strength, will bless
All men and earth will feel a miracle
Swelling its barren womb with tenderness
And one again become peace-beautiful.

O reverent youth, yours is the task to still
The tempest and awake the Lazarus-heart.
Before the high, white thunders of your will
The death-cowled years forever shall depart.
Clasp hands with God and every race and see
A peaceful world emerge from agony.