HOUSES.

Auckland Star, Volume LIV, Issue 299, 15 December 1923, Page 17

HOUSES.

All huddled up -along the road, The houses, two by two, Were closely pressed, the search ing sun CouM scarcely struggle through. And one I passed, with broken roof, And creaking garden gate ; The narrow rooms, so dark, forlorn— I thought my heart would break: The paint was blistered on the walls, The open d'ior swung wide: It stood within the shadow made By houses either side Against the dusty window pane, The Mind flapped drearily: It creaked and tapped—an eerie sound Like ghostly sails at sea. I thought, " Has beauty left r.he earth? Are these the homes of men '! And will not came again. Here. Life." I thought.'" Is grey and chill A dull and sordid thins!- " When, passing by rhnt dinny housj, I heard a blackbird sing: As I pa-ssod by that d!n=y house. The almond was in bloonj : A slender branch tapped wistfully, Vpon thar darkened rofitn. _\t>iiY.o the dusty girdvn plot, The purple iris shon-erl : And liirle rtilldren i.-!ughipc: ran Along that narrow road. As I passed !>y at even Ing fall, A mother fonrllv pressed A little child, wh.i smil.-d in sleep, Swung In the wide and siarry sky. I saw the golden himhIt seemed to bless wiib. gentle light, Tilat ding;-, darkenc-a room. ' ■ t-Capel Boaie.