Edison
(On the eve of his death)

By Grant H. Redford

“Have Faith; go forward,” you said,
And died. You did not hear the world’s
Acclaim, tonight. Yet you must have
Known that all our homes were lighted
By the light you made from Faith and
Go forwardness – you must have known!

“Have Faith; go forward,” you said.
I will not forget this saying, Edison.
I will not forget. I will remember.
I will remember that a light upon a
Hill cannot be hid. Yes, I will remember,
Also, when the going is hard, to “Go Forward!”

“Have Faith; go forward,” you said.
The world sleeps with your words
Ringing in their ears. They will
Awake soon, and remembering they
Will go forward. We sleep, and you
Sleep. Tomorrow we go forward, too.

(1935)