Raymond Garfield Dandridge, "Forward!"
Forward, every son and daughter
Born of Ethiopia's hue !
Band yourselves in mighty union,
To be or not, depends on you.
Harken to the call of "Freedom !"
Marshal in "Ambition's' tread.
Let no crafty foe retard you
'Till you're marching at the head !
Set your "Goal Post" in the "Zenith,"
Seek the shining- spots on high,
Swear to be no other's bondman,
Ere you cringe — resolve to die.
Crown each moment with your effort,
From the dawn to setting sun,
Every one must do his duty
Ere the "Victory" is won !
Published in Penciled Poems, 1917