Not to the brave upon the battle-field <br /> Alone, the palms of victory belong; <br /> Nor only to the great of earth the song <br />Of praise and paean should the singer yield. <br />Greater the souls that, single handed, wield <br /> The battle-ax against the hosts of wrong, <br /> Unknown, un-noted, in life’s reckless throng, <br />And only in God’s day to stand revealed. <br />How many such, in patient, humble guise, <br /> Beside us walk their grief-appointed way! <br /> Nobly enduring; worthiest to shine <br />As fixed stars in fame’s eternal skies. <br />For these, for this, I reverently lay <br /> On her dear dust this little leaf of mine.<br /><br />Ina D. Coolbrith<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/a-leaf-for-memory/
