Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, AN APPEAL, by F. ISABELL GOODWIN REID


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

AN APPEAL, by                    
First Line: Oh women of america. Arise!
Last Line: Build again a mighty nation!
Alternate Author Name(s): Reid, F. Isabelle Goodwin
Subject(s): Clubs (associations); United States; Women; America


Oh Women of America. Arise!
Pull down the dusty cobwebs from the skies,
That we may once more clearly see the stars.
Make no more sacrifices unto Mars;
They leave such very deep and bitter scars.

Oh World! Who blotted out the very sun?
Our Pilgrim Fathers' work, is it undone?
Whence come these bootleggers and racketeers?
For this we must endure all Europe's sneers.

Let's drive them out! Be this our very goal,
As one drives mortal sin from out the soul.
They are the dregs, the scum of our great melting pot.
The broth more wholesome clear! We must not rot!
Our glorious land deserves a better lot.

Oh rescue from oblivion our high ideals,
And lift our country up. Make our appeals
To touch the latent good in all of us.
Oh help us, lest we grovel in the dust
Of filthy things -- of greed and shame and lust.

Let's contemplate our great men of the past.
Those mighty ones would surely look aghast
At what we have become -- their work undone.
We -- in our self-sufficient vanity,
Forget their deeds of valor, -- but
Delight to show their frail humanity.

Strive hard for peace upon this blessed earth,
And foster happiness and love and mirth,
No task to shun, when once our work's begun.
Clubwomen of this mighty Federation!
Let's lift our banners high, and
Build again a mighty nation!





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