Who will wear crepe for loved ones, alone?
Millions of sweethearts who'll weep o'er the "lists,"
Which lovers the lips ne'er more to be kissed?
All is a Gamble--this War-Game of Chance--
The life of a Conscript over in France.
The "Roulette of Life" is spinning so fast,
The "red ball of Death" must drop in at last;
Which numbers will win, which numbers will lose,
The "odds" or the "evens," the "reds" or the "blues"?
Yet Hope is the "Banker" and He will repay
The chances that Conscripts must take in the fray;
And Fate's a Good sport, when "dealing the cards,"
He'll give "Fifty-fifty" to Conscript for odds.



THE SLACKER

Why don't he volunteer to serve
In Uncle Sammy's grand reserve?
He knows quite well his country's call;
Has no regard for this, at all.
He never thinks to do his part,
Because he has a Slacker's heart.

He walks along the street quite spry--
To feign indifference he must try,
When suddenly he takes affright,
It's just a picture (what a sight)
Of Uncle Sam with pointing finger.