OUR OWN VERSEMAKERS

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12507, 24 July 1926, Page 16

OUR OWN VERSEMAKERS

THE CLOCK. The grandfather clock said, “Tick . . . took . . . It’s time to go to bed.” But the twins were naughty and would not, And stood still with drooping head Until they were carried off to bed. JOAN URQUHART (aged 9). Eastbourne. (Good for a first “try,” small Joan . . . it’s a quaint wee verse with extra, unexpected line, which of oourse would he the end of it. The rhymes are right, although “head” sounds as though it should be “heads” what do you think? And that whole line would have been the same length as the second one if you had left out “still.” Try some more. About those /apnrrows, or the small Julie. — Fairiel.)

SPRING-TIME. Daisies are pure and white. Buttercups rich and yellow, Tlie little streamlet running by Makes a pretty meadow. The children laugh and play and sing And pick the flowers that come in spring. The butterflies so bright and gay Flit about all through the day. Little lambs are frisking And baa-ing in the sun . . . We all love the springtime, Each and everyone. ELEANOR RIPPON (aged 10). Masterton. (A truly “springtime” picture, which i 9 the first thing that matters, young ten-years ... A white and yellow picture against the green. But you haven’t managed to get the length of line quite right, Elcarml ... all the verses don’t beat the same time. There’s the first verse; if the second line had been just “Buttercups are yellow” the rhythm would have been good. But then “meadow” isn’t a rhyme for “yellow.” Listen is it? The second \erse is good by itself, but its second and fourth lines suddenly became longer . . . just as the first and third do in the last verse. Try again, and get one really right as well as pretty. —Fairiel.)