Susan B. Anthony

By Minnie I. Hodapp

True Seeress of a nation’s need
Acute in thought, sublime in deed;
Her soul’s invincible surmise:
A starry banner in the skies
Vouchsafing truth and liberty
And franchise with equality,
By grace of God, a boundless good
To free, untrammeled womanhood!

Behind her footsteps flowers rise
In splendor ’neath joy-smiling skies
Where barefooted through thistle field
She fared to plant their shining yield.
Stern years of travail did not tire
Her honor-angered valor fire
Whose toils bequeath to you and me
A wondrous woman legacy!

Bright dream incarnate in her blood!
Fair boon to slighted sisterhood!
Her quenchless zeal to do and are –
Loose ancient fetters, quell despair!
Storm-mountain hooded in gray mist
Transfigured now and sunset kissed
Men deem her fair (though once they hissed)
Sister, Seeress, Suffragist!

(1933)