Drowning Man

Maoriland Worker, Volume 13, Issue 1, 3 January 1923, Page 1

Drowning Man

There is a golden argosy Afloat upon a, boundless sea; But round her, far as eye can see, Ane drowning men. Her women laugh isnd act and -lie; Her men look down with scornful eye; Why should they listen to Ihe-erj ■ Oi! drowning men? Ever calling, ever crying i Ever sinking, ever dying. Well? What then? ' They who lounge beneath- the awning, Flirting , , fooling, boasting, yawning. Have no thought save that of scorning Drowning men. Her spacious decks, her cabins aft, Were launched iirorh. docks of greed and graft; Her cargo i 3 the handicraft, Of drowning mcn — Of men who struggle, men who strive To keep afloat, to swim, t o dive, ■ To breast the breakers, to survive, Just drowning men. Fighting for hsi\ drawing nigh her, Clinging closer, climb' I ng higher. Well? What then? Those aboard cry, "These would plunder; . Bqa-t -their hands off; cast asunder, Push them down, and keep them under" — Di"owiring men. —Margery Rrowne, in "Frderal Independent," November, 1922.