Cord Byrd: “I took a piece of plastic clay And idly fashioned it one day-- And as my fingers pressed it, still It moved and yielded…”

“I took a piece of plastic clay And idly fashioned it one day-- And as my fingers pressed it, still It moved and yielded to my will. I came again when days were past The bit of clay was hard at last. The form I gave it, still it bore, And I could change that form no more! I took a piece of living clay, And gently fashioned it day by day, And molded with my power and art A young child's soft and yielding heart. I came again when years were gone: It was a man I looked upon. He still that early impress bore, And I could fashion it never more. I think that pretty well sums up my feeling toward our young people, our children, the education of our young people. Now is the time, the formative period in their youth when we can shape and mold them to our will.”