THE GRAIN ELEVATOR 



It is not beautiful, it bulks forth huge 



A storehouse wrought of concrete and of steel 

 Resorting 1 to no cunning- subterfuge 



To hide its simple purpose, or conceal 

 Its plain utility. And yet it shows 



To eyes that see beyond the outward shell,. 

 Beauty of Service; and its walls enclose 



Bounty that feeds the world wherein we dwell. 



This edifice supplies a vital part 



Of that immense industrial machine 

 By which we serve the cause we have at heart 



This war for everything: that's fine and clean. 

 It stores the harvest of the generous soil 



Against the need of men, and in good time 

 Pours forth the food for those who work or toil 



In true devotion to a task sublime. 



And thus this structure, ugly to the gaze % 



Has beauty of the stalwart, rugged kind 

 Which wraps the labourer who goes his ways 



Doing his duty on the work designed. 

 It stands forth grim and mighty as a rock 



Fit for the service it was fashioned for, 

 Its ramparts proof against the battle shock, 



A fortress on, the food line of the war! 



Berton Braley. 



