Claire V. Bogdanos

A wretched mass we lonely be

We draw our lots of destiny

And fearful though our days may seem

We’ll not forsake the growing dream

That time has furrowed on our brow

And hope can only but allow

To breathe and swell within our soul

And make it seem but one more goal

For man to grasp the will to live

And every moment courage give.

The wind blows wild across the plain

Another soul to seek acclaim

Like shipwrecks shoaled on foreign shore

Their voices raised, God’s grace implore.

As trees their arms do upward sway

The whole world kneels , her prayer to say

Where ancient Moorish castles rise

Their towers reaching for the skies.

This prayer of man that heaven sent

Begs only for his heart’s content,

Bold edifice of legendry

Now stirs the soul to poetry

And wills the weak to stronger be

And make fast friends of you and me.