Cross Roads

IN MEMORIAM

     To an American Aviator

     He went to battle in the mist-hung sky,
        Like some gold-hearted bird with pinions strong;
        He went with courage, with a snatch of song,
     In all his splendid youth!  And God on high
     Looked down with love to watch him dip and fly,
        Then lifted him to where the brave belong.
        He went to right a bleeding nation's wrong,
     And proved that he was not afraid to die!

     So we, who stare across the lonely hours,
        Must only think of that great gift he gave;
        Must think of other lives that his will save;
     And know that, when the tender, healing showers
     Have fallen in a stranger-land, the flowers
        Will bloom, like prayers, upon a hero's grave!

     A PEASANT GIRL SINGS

     Somewhere, Out There, he is—just a boy, that's all—
     (Laughter sparkled in his eyes—he was always
        singing!)
     Just a boy who answered when he heard his country's
        call;
     (Somewhere, Out There, he is—how my thoughts go
        winging—)
              Ready to do or dare,
              (Like sunlight was his hair,)
     Just a boy, a laughing boy,
                                  Somewhere, Out There.

     Idle my wheel, to-day, hushed is it's spinning—
     (Ah, but his eyes were blue—blue as the sea—)
     Somewhere, Out There, he is... Losing—or winning!
     (Boy with the carefree heart, come back to me!)
              Blood red the cannon's flare,
              (God, can you hear my prayer?)
     Keep him, my boy, from harm—
                                  Somewhere, Out There.