Clara Frances McKee Beede

“ And from an inner courage gain
A faith in toil and love of truth;
They pray to God to ease the pain.
WINTER
A glow of life shines from the leaf-stripped limbs,
In sheltered nooks snowbirds are singing hymns. ”

“ As though it waited for the lusty rain,
With low leaves dried and drooping to the ground.
What is this wisdom in all nature's room
That fights to live and grow, and not in vain,
But God, whose strength in all things may be found. ”

“ On Christmas day, let happy dreams
Sparkle and flow like bubbling streams.
A MAIDEN'S DREAM
I often think and dream and ponder
Of things that I have seen,
And twist the real into a wonder
When men and birds convene. ”

“ With heart full of faith and noble thought
To bear my load and do good deeds.
And cherish worthy things, the hope not bought,
With visions for the living needs.
You said be honest with my God and soul,
Devoted to my land and home,
And all that men hold dear. In loyalty
Respect and prize the fertile loam.
Today my country calls, she needs her son
To fight the Japs and Hitler too.
No coming back until the job is done.
This is as honest men would do.
IN THE STORM
Hear the gale roaring through the woods! ”

“ I pray thy blessing upon each one, especially our soldier boys
That they may heed thy voice and follow thee
as their great and true leader. Forbid, dear Lord, that any one
of them be lost from the way in his search for the light.
Go before them and let light from above
make their pathway bright. Come into their hearts
and give them the peace that no man can give, neither can
take it away. ”

“ A blasted rock and broken twigs assure
The traveler that others fought the moor,
And sailed the stormy breakers, crossed the sand
To build the city on a granite slab.
They tamed the wilderness, a sturdy clan!
Retracing paths recall the glory made,
Lays bare the secrets of the field and lab.
Such tours give hope for future life and plan.
Brave men have set the torch with ax and spade. ”

“ And all the faces glad?
Why are the buds abursting
And not, a thing is sad?
I hear the sparrow twittering
Her sweet old melody.
Darling the spring is budding
In all her ecstasy.
Spring and the sun are smiling
To bring the leaves and cress.
Love in the heart is waking
To give us happiness. ”

“ In the four seasons of the year there are many beautiful days as well as dismal days in life. The broken twigs and trails, as well as the good ones go to make up this world. All mark and show posterity the way out of the woods.
These poems, and many other poems written by Mrs. Beede show these things and the wonders of nature.
As only a true mother can, she has shown me these wonders. I sincerely hope that all who read her poems will appreciate them as I do and reap the benefit of the morals of her thoughtful and enjoyable poems and know as I do her love of nature and things beautiful. ”