The Icelandic Canadian - 01.06.1967, Síða 43

THE ICELANDIC CANADIAN
41
are to his nation only has been blotted
out permanently as the speed of mo-
dern transportation and communica-
tion has made next door neighbors of
nations to the ends of the world. As a
member of the world community a
good citizen respects all races and
creeds irrespective of apparent dif-
ferences. He carefully keeps in mind
that what other nations are striving
for is the direct result of their cultures
and beliefs; that they are as sincere
in their adherance to their way of life
as he is in his. He tries to understand
their problems and thus recognize
their viewpoints and accepts them
without personally opinionated prejud-
ice. This in turn means that a good
citizen acquaints himself fully with
world organizations and the part his
own country plays in them. To the
best of his ability he assists his own
nation to be a member in good stand-
ing, always fostering better relations
in order that peace, goodwill and due
respect may be the result.
No longer is one able to give his
whole loyalty to home and country;
loyalty to the human race must have
its share. The need of world citizenship
has glaringly been thrust upon us. Let
us hope that we can ably cope with it.
May our Centennial enthusiasm carry
us forward, toward world citizenship.
THE MESSAGE OF THE PRAIRIES
Across the level boundless plains
Where the untamed winds rove free,
Where the snow banks high
And the wild birds cry —
from there comes a message to me.
It is not a call to the cities,
To the dirt, the dust and the grime,
To the surging crowds
And the noises loud
Or the slums with their filth and slime.
The wild winds tell not of the city
streets
With the clashing, clanging cars,
Of the autos that rush,
Through the stifling crush,
Or the lights that outshine the stars.
It tells me of wide sunlit spaces,
Swept by the north wind bold,
Of men who dare
Face the cutting air
And live on these prairies cold.
It tells me of free men whose lives
Are a daily struggle and toil;
Who in sun and rain
Attempt to gain
A living from the soil.
Not for them the stuffy office,
Not for them the factory’s noise,
Not for them great wealth
But boundless health;
The outdoors is their choice.
’Tis these that the breezes waft to me
From across the valley so broad;
From the far regions blue
Comes this message true,
From the home of the all-knowing
God.
(from Heimskringla, 1920) —S. M. T.