Pine Trees.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21118, 27 February 1932, Page 4 (Supplement)

Pine Trees.

By LILIAN FLOYD, Tnwa Kh-eet, Tc Kuili. (Ago 14.) (Original.)

I'ino trees standing motionless On tho littfo hill Watching o'er the night fields Dark and wet and still. . . . The four pines, tall and straight, sombre and gloomy stood together 011 the summit of tho lonely hill up and down which the long, white road wound its way. It was dark and still, and a slight breeze was rustling in the branches. Above the pines the moon was slowly drifting across 4 a dark velvet slcy dotted by a myriad cold, shining stars. In the moonbeams the pine trees formed long shadows. Somewhere below the hill a river sang a song of rippling, splashing waters, and in the distance loomed whitecapped mountains forming a dim, purple haze. Under tho many branches were thick layers of pine needles, and as the slight breeze swooped and purred among the pines, the needles descended lightly to the ground. . Gradually Urn night wore itself out, while bats and big-eyed owls whooped and swooped in the trees, and night insects chirped noisily. Toward dawn tho cattle in tho fields began to call. Then a faint pink streak appeared in the cast above the lonely pines. The darkness and stillness ceased, and .1 time of busy bustle in the fields below prevailed. The river seemed to lose its mysterious rhythmic song which came in darkness. The sun peeped out and covered the land with sunshine. The_ pines still stood lonelv and almost motionless on the little hill—dark, tall, and mysterious . . .