Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


DECORATION DAY PRAYER by ARTHUR ROSZELLE BEMIS JR.

First Line: LORD OF OUR FATHERS, HEAR OUR PRAYER
Last Line: THEM FROM THE AWFUL FRAY.
Subject(s): HOLIDAYS; MEMORIAL DAY; DECLARATION DAY;

Lord of our fathers, hear our prayer
For those who paid the price;
Our stalwart youth, so brave and fair,
Who made the sacrifice.

They slumber in the cypress' shade,
They, who so nobly died;
Facing destruction unafraid,
All for a nation's pride.

We honor them and weep to think
Of youthful hearts so still.
O Lord, that youth like this should drink
So soon from Lethe's rill!

The price of peace is far too high
In youthful limb and life.
To You, O gracious God, we cry
Through clouds of hate and strife.

We pray that in the hearts of man
The flame of hate may die;
That clouds of war no more shall span
Our nation's peaceful sky.

Lord of our fathers, hear our prayer
For youth now free and gay;
We pray that You may ever spare
Them from the awful fray.



Home: PoetryExplorer.net