LOOKING BACKWARD

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 6623, 12 September 1908, Page 5

LOOKING BACKWARD

All, dear, now the sweet’s turned to biuor. It’s memory bitterly sweet. The tavnieUi corroding tiie gLttcr, lilies ryuim a quavering •beat; Wc viiiiii to tho unost: pu6t behind us. When nope gi.i tno dawn and tho ove, When thougJu, glowing fervent, defined u»; A woi id that could do and believe. How bw oiled then our souls ih defiance Of cynics or enge’s harsh page; Our full hearts, m mutual alliance, Accepting tlio task of age. Yj i wrought for .a home ao it would be; I moulded a world to my mind. We merged into one “is” and "should Ire," And saw naught but right was designed. Books spoke to our hearts a rich meauing; All Lnciei' wore rose-down to tread; Our labour tho bythesomest gleaning, ui iuu ears irom quick and from dead. Time throobed to a musical rapture, Tull throated with lyrical glee. No wish failed its quarry to capture; No pleasure turned churl for a fee. Tlio poets shone star-bright above ue; God s presence was warm like his sun. All Nature was eager to'love us, And paradise stooped to be won. *•**«« What wonder when, peering before us. To see death loom vague through the gloom, We flee to the young years that bore us. Through gardens of radiance and bloom. What marvel if 'stead of perusing. The blurred leaves of chapter the last, The nolnd in a bitter .sweet musing, Recalls the bight ghosts of the .past. Wairarapa. K.C.B.