Chapter I: LIKE to read a stirring tale of peril and of action

I follow every character with heartfelt satisfaction. If, truth and error, right and wrong, defeat and triumph blending, The story rambles steadily toward a happy ending.

No matter what vicissitudes the hero strong engages, No matter how the conflict runs across the crowded pages, If at the close all comes out right, with every wrong defeated, Each happy dream at last come true, each worthy task completed.

They tell me it is not the style in these days so to write it. The proper thing, they say, is with a smirch of wrong to blight it, To leave the tears unwiped, the wrong unrighted, and the error Unbanished in the general reign of trouble and of terror.

But I still have the faith to cling to childhood’s deep conviction That somehow justice does get done in life as well as fiction, That there is more of right than wrong, of pleasure than of weeping, And that a kindly Providence still has us in its keeping.

I think when all the years are through the world’s heart will be singing, That bells of bounding happiness will everywhere be ringing, And the great Author of the tale of life, His mercy lending, Will bring the story of the world down to a happy ending.

Have You Tried? (1929)

Are you sure you cannot do it? Are you really satisfied That you never can go through it? Have you tried?

Do a thousand doubts assail you With their darts from every side Till your hope and courage fail you? Have you tried?

Have you ceased to dream of winning? Have your expectations died? Have you really had your inning? Have you tried?

Memorial Day v1929 Exodus 12:14. “And this day shall be unto you for a memorial.”

Their drums are still. Their banners all are furled.
They feel no more the battle’s fiery breath.
Theirs is the vastest army in the world,
Encamped upon the silent fields of death.

Of peace and happiness they paid the price.
Their Via Dolorosa did they tread.
They climbed the Calvary of sacrifice,
And found a place among the mighty dead.

The years roll on, but as they pass away
Let not this tender memory grow old.
By the sweet, smiling blossoms of the May
Let their fair story be forever told.

The Modern Pupil (1929)

I’ve had a new school teacher Now for a week or two. She seems to be quite clever, And knows her subject, too. She’s pleasant and attractive, As far as I can tell. There’s just one trouble with her. She doesn’t mind me well.

In fact, she has a notion, Saved from a former day, That things about the schoolroom Should go the other way. And so the one objection That any one could find Is insubordination. I cannot make her mind.

My Little Fire (1929)

My little fire is cheerful, Unchanging in its grace. Whatever be the weather, It keeps a shining face.

It always has a welcome For such as seek its hearth, Afar from all the struggles And strivings of the earth.

It seems so understanding. When ill has gone the day And I recount my troubles, It laughs them all away.

So I forget the fever Of false and vain desire, And find that life is blessed Beside my little fire.

The Red Bird (1929)

I heard a redbird singing
Beside my door to-day.
Bright his coat of scarlet,
And happy was his lay.
He trilled and chirped and twittered
In varied note and key.
It was a great example
Of birdland minstrelsy.

Then I beheld before me
That vast, unnumbered throng
Whose weary, sodden voices
Have never learned a song;
And while I heard the redbird
Stand forth and greet the spring,
I wished that all earth’s children
Were glad enough to sing.

The Road to Tomorrow (1929)

THERE is a road that stretches
Through sunny yesterdays,
Adown remembered vistas,
And over long lost ways.
My feet would tread it always,
If they could have their will,
But Wonder comes to call me
Across the future’s hill.

THE road to the tomorrows
--Its challenge is supreme.
I do not know its windings,
Its hidden wood and stream,
Its distances alluring,
Its vales of mystery.
But I shall drive and find them.
It is the road for me.

Photo of car on country road. Landscape occupies bottom quarter of frame. Flat road extends from foreground straight into background and towards foothills. One tall, narrow tree is on each side of road, framing the sides and extending to the top of the frame. Car is on right side of road. A part of a building is shown to the right of the car, about five yards off the road, and is partially obscured by the tree. Photo is copyrighted by “Tod Powell.”

Thankfulness (1929)