Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, PIONEERS OF DETROIT, by LEVI BISHOP


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

PIONEERS OF DETROIT, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: In ancient days, on every hand
Last Line: To his own happy land.
Subject(s): Detroit, Michigan; Past; Pioneers


In ancient days, on every hand,
The West, without compeer,
Inviting smiled a promised land
To hardy pioneer.

The call we heard, obeyed it well,
Unknown for weal or woe;
And yet, with all, we rarely tell
Of fifty years ago.

From nearly every state and nation,
To western land we came;
Our each profession -- occupation,
Records a worthy name.

We found a home, by choice or fate,
Beside this noble river;
The lovely "City of the Strait,"
We cherish now and ever.

The forests, rivers, azure skies,
Then lent their charming mood;
Now, cities -- palaces arise,
Where once the cabin stood.

The pioneers of other climes
In quiet here we found; --
Adventurers of other times;
Now both as one are bound.

And time the flying years has told,
And long has been our toil;
We gather now, from days of old,
The rich but withered spoil.

The fatherland, the early home,
Our recollections fill;
And though we left them far to roam,
We oft re-visit still.

The past we love to ponder o'er,
The memory to cheer;
We note the fast receding shore,
That soon will disappear.

And many, too, have left the scene,
In silver locks and sear;
We'll drop beside their evergreen,
The sympathizing tear.

As former days we here recall,
In reminiscence cast;
In course we also soon must all
Be numbered with the past.

May He that kindly led us here,
A far exploring band,
Still guide us, when the end is near,
To His own happy land.





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