Promotion

SAMUEL JOHNSTONE MACDONALD

The burghers of the town today
Choose one their civic mace to sway;
And more than one believes that he
Himself the favored one shall be.
Yussuf Ben Orem too has bowed
To this belief, and hopes the crowd
May favor him, that he may grace
With leadership discreet the place.

The poll is closed, the choice is made,
And many fond ambitions fade.
Yussuf Ben Orem wakes to find
The people to his merits blind;
And that he knew but little skill
To mold his fellows to his will,
To blazon high his beaming name,
And win the victor's proud acclaim.

What then, he asked, has been my aim?
Self-seeking, power, pride, and fame?
If so, there's blessing in defeat,
And open-eyed the truth I'll meet.
Instead of power for self, or place,
I'll strive self-seeking to erase,
And leave to Love alone to say
When growth my labors shall repay.