POETRY FROM PERIODICALS

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13482, 8 May 1907, Page 9

POETRY FROM PERIODICALS

WIMMEN FOLKS. . - Hast ever reflected on womankind's ways?; • Heaven bless 'em! , ■ Or have yon devoted the most of your days To strenuous efforts the shekels to raise, '■-'■■ Just to dress 'em? Didst ever try fathom the mind of a maid?, i , ■ ■ I've a notion ':':.. ,' ,; '■. -: 'u One might as well ask if you've ever essayed To explore earth's depaths, with a plummet and spade. . ■»..'■ Or the ocean? Didst ever attempt to debate with a girl? Don't do it. • > - ~ You'll eme'rge from the fray with your brain in a whirl, ' And. "unless' you're a cynical chump ox a churl,- : You'll rue it! ■ ' Still, odd as, they they've an infinite grace . About 'em: There's a wonderful charm in a fair woman's face,- : ■ - ' , - . And this planet would be a lugubrious placeWithout 'em! , , CHAS. TRUE WEEKS, in. the "Munsey." '■';, : HER SELF-DENIAL. , , When.Lent began, said Molly, . There's not a bit of doubt / ■_< That very many luxuries . ; • : I'm quite as well without. And now since self-denial Is ; the fashionable craze, I'll practise it in earnest For the coming Forty Days. J V I'll forego expensive bon-bons .'■ (They're unwholesome, anyway). .".'■'; I'll purchase fewer flowers, I'll omit the matinee. I'll countermand the order For that reckless ' tailor-made' (I'm not quite sure that after all, : "Tis a becoming shade). I'll buy no more new novels (I've already such a lot). But improve my "mind by reading Our old set of "Walter Scott; ;■',* And of each unspent shilling I'll keep a strict account, And to some worthy purpose - I'll devote the whole amount." So Molly through the weeks of Lent Did worldly wiles combat, / And with denial's net results i She bought her Easter hat. —Pictorial Comedy. QUESTIONINGS. ■ Plays a child in a garden fair, Where the demi-gods are walking; Playing unsuspected there ■ , As a bird within the air ~. Listens to their wondrous talking: ,':■■ .; "Would I knew—would I knew What it is they say and do!" i Stands a youth at city gate, Sees the knights go forth together, : Parleying, superb, elate. Pair by pair in princely state. Lance and shield and haughty feather: " Would I knew—would I knew What it is they say and do!"' Bends a man with trembling knees By a gulf of cloudy border; Deaf, he hears no voice from these • ■ Winged shapes he dimly sees Passing by in solemn order: " Would I knew— I knew 'What it is they say and do!" THE CLOWN'S PKAYEK. LORD, I am poor, I have no.gift Meet for Thy shrine;My life is spent in joke and jest, So empty, vain, e'en at its best. This life of mine. But, Lord, beneath my mirthful face I hide a tear, And when the crowd laugh at the fair I They seem to gibe at my despair i . And mock my fear. ; Lord, I am poor save in this wise: j A child have I, I And as I joke the best I may, I He, uncomplaining, fades away And soon must die. I Lord, thou hast many in Thy home, I only one; ■ Think, Lord, a jester's life is sad, i Change not "he has" into "he • had"— Grant me my son. WALTER E. GBOGAN, in the Pall Mall Magazine. . VAIN LONGINGS. I would I were a pessimist; I would that I were sad; . . - ' If I were but unhappy, , I should be supremely glad. . I hunger for repentance, and I'm longing to repine; But none of these sweet ecstasies, alas, are ever ; mine ! j The rare and true refinement of a languid, I feeble health Would be to me what others see in happiI ness and wealth. But I, instead, am robust—my cheeks are like the rose;; . Though why I thus am radiant—Well, good- '-' ness only knows! ' I meet with nought but tenderness; my gold is sans alloy ; ■;. . The folks I know outvie themselves to stimulate my joy ''••. '-- :: Oh! how I wish they'd rend my soul with sharp and stinging pain! But aspirations such as these are cherished e'er in vain! I fear there is no help for it! 'twere futile to resist; ," ... Predestined'was I by the stars to be an optimist. /«',,-; >''■ ,'•■-'.' ;>.':: : \'" : Xc soul will ever plague me; no one may ' dc the trick; ■ ■ I must go on bcinf happy, ; though it- cuts me to the quick! • I —MARK U.YAM, in "The World and His . ~.;'■ - Wife."- .. :