| James and Mary Ford, eds. Every Day in the Year. 1902. | | | | May 30 | | Memorial Day | | By Cy Warman (1855–1914) |
| | | GATHER the garlands rare today, | |
| Snow-white roses and roses red; | |
| Gather the fairest flowers of May, | |
| Heap them up on the heaps of clay, | |
| Gladden the graves of the noble dead. | 5 |
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| Pile them high as the soldiers were | |
| Piled on the field where they fought and fell; | |
| They will rejoice in their new place there | |
| Today, as they walk where the fragrant air | |
| Is sweet with the scent of the asphodel. | 10 |
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| Many a time, I’ve heard it said, | |
| They fell so thick where the battles were, | |
| Their hot blood rippled, and, running red, | |
| Ran out like a rill from the drifted dead | |
| Staining the heath and the daisies there. | 15 |
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| This day the friends of the soldiers keep, | |
| And they will keep it through all the years, | |
| To the silent city where soldiers sleep | |
| Will come with flowers, to watch and weep | |
| And water the garlands with their tears. | 20 | | | |
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