Transcription:
CLASS POEM-JUNE '12 LINCOLN HIGH SCHOOL,PORTLAND,ORE. How good to gain this sunny,long-sought knoll, All shining with
the light of dreams come true. four years toiled we to reach the beck'ning goal, Rejoicing that to dare can mean to do .
'Tis sweet to tarry here among the flowers Without a care - our youthful labor done; To dream away the idly-floating hours
And feel the pride that comes with purpose won. But shall we like dumb brutes without an aim Rest ever 'neath this little
laurel's shade, And watch life's sun in high midheaven flame, Then sink to silence ere our mark is made? Nay,see'st thou
not yon distant mountain crest, Rose-glowing in the light of dawning day? 'Tis called Success - go, give the world your
best, Climb onward,upward;shining gleams the way And as when Spring has climbed the highest peak, And looking back,surveys
her joyful course, Finds all the world is laughing in her wake, Each step flower-jeweled, and each smile the source Of
streams of joy that swell and flood the world; Each blossomed breath - Life's heartaches blown away, Each fairy touch -
man's pleasure-store joy-pearled; An earth transformed - an Eden from cold clay; So let us strive to make our way bloom
bright With radiant joy,with hope and truth and love; To make each deed a shining glory-light That points men's souls from
earth to thoughts above: Till, looking from from the summit of the years, A thousand barren hearts have burst to bloom
From seeds we sowed and watered with our tears - The world more joyous for our having come. Far nobler than some selfish
object won, Our deeds nor time nor death can e'er destroy, Thru' us God's perfect plan more nearly done, When all the world
is joy,forever joy Romaine Elliot. 05344