The Conquered Banner
by V.E. on September 4th, 2005
Furl that Banner, for ’tis weary;
Round its staff ’tis drooping dreary;
Furl it, fold it, it is best;
For there’s not a man to wave it,
And there’s not a sword to save it,
And there’s no one left to lave it
In the blood that heroes gave it;
And its foes now scorn and brave it;
Furl it, hide it–let it rest!
Take that banner down! ’tis tattered;
Broken is its shaft and shattered;
And the valiant hosts are scattered
Over whom it floated high.
Oh! ’tis hard for us to fold it;
Hard to think there’s none to hold it;
Hard that those who once unrolled it
Now must furl it with a sigh.
Furl that banner! furl it sadly!
Once ten thousands hailed it gladly.
And ten thousands wildly, madly,
Swore it should forever wave;
Swore that foeman’s sword should never
Hearts like theirs entwined dissever,
Till that flag should float forever
O’er their freedom or their grave!
Furl it! for the hands that grasped it,
And the hearts that fondly clasped it,
Cold and dead are lying low;
And that Banner–it is trailing!
While around it sounds the wailing
Of its people in their woe.
For, though conquered, they adore it!
Love the cold, dead hands that bore it!
Weep for those who fell before it!
Pardon those who trailed and tore it!
But, oh! wildly they deplored it!
Now who furl and fold it so.
Furl that Banner! True, ’tis gory,
Yet ’tis wreathed around with glory,
And ’twill live in song and story,
Though its folds are in the dust;
For its fame on brightest pages,
Penned by poets and by sages,
Shall go sounding down the ages–
Furl its folds though now we must.
Furl that banner, softly, slowly!
Treat it gently–it is holy–
For it droops above the dead.
Touch it not–unfold it never,
Let it droop there, furled forever,
For its people’s hopes are dead!
About Rachel
by V.E. on September 4th, 2005
She smoked a clove again. This really bothers me. Maybe I should make my feelings known to her. However, I’m afraid if I said anything, she’d just stop talking about it, not stop DOING it.
She’s only 14. What should I do about this?
New news.
by V.E. on September 4th, 2005
Okay, first thing’s first. My computer’s hooked up in my room and I should be online a bit more now that that has occurred.
Secondly, someone today accused me of being contradictory. Let me say this: DUH. I’m a complicated person.
Also, *insert much cursing here* Students for Marriage Equality (SME) and College Dems are meeting on the same day at the same time this semester. Damn it, Sigma. We’re NOT good planners.
On that note, SME’s meetings are Thursdays 7-8 PM. First meeting is September 8 at a location TBA (I’ll let you know when I know).
Another thing: if people started using sugar in their tea for any reason other than they couldn’t afford honey, it’s a travesty. And if they were using sugar first and then switched over to honey for whatever reason, it’s deserving of a national holiday. “Honey-in-Tea Appreciation Day” or something. I have been converted to using honey in my tea. It’s MUCH better than sugar.
On a last note, I love days like today. I love my college campus, and I’m really enjoying school so far. As in, during the past two years, the positives have far outweighed the negatives.
Important stuff at F&M
by V.E. on September 4th, 2005
Reserving a room on campus (except ASFC): http://www.fandm.edu/departments/provost/reservations
Bulletin boards: http://server1.fandm.edu/bb/
Office of Student Activities (OSA): http://www.fandm.edu/osa.xml
Student organizations (except Greeks): http://www.fandm.edu/clubs.xml
Greek Life: http://www.fandm.edu/greeklife.xml
Adminstrative offices: http://www.fandm.edu/x1544.xml
Academic departments: http://www.fandm.edu/x1809.xml
Student life resources: http://www.fandm.edu/studentlife.xml
