Page:Patriotic pieces from the Great War, Jones, 1918.djvu/116

112 FLY A CLEAN FLAG

By permission of the author and the publishers, The Reilly & Britton Co., Chicago

This I heard the Old Flag say

As I passed it yesterday:

"Months ago your friendly hands

Fastened me on slender strands

And with patriotic love

Placed me here to wave above

You and yours. I heard you say

On that long departed day:

'Flag of all that's true and fine,

Wave above this house of mine;

Be the first at break of day

And the last at night to say

To the world this word of cheer:

Loyalty abideth here.'

"Here on every wind that's blown,

O'er your portal I have flown;

Rain and snow have battered me,

Storms at night have tattered me;

Dust of street and chimney stack

Day by day have stained me black,

And I've watched you passing there,

Wondering how much you care.

Have you noticed that your flag,

Is to-day a wind-blown rag?