SHADOWS OF THE PAST.

NZ Truth, Issue 146, 4 April 1908, Page 1

SHADOWS OF THE PAST.

I sit and think of other days, happiness gone by, . When the summer night is calm and bright, And the moon climbs up the sky. Thought,| like the lightning from a- .. • bove, . ■; Far flashing, onward flies, .: And brings, with wizard power, the past, Before my tearful eyes. The sunny days of feoyhood's spring Come wreathes with many a flower, And joys m shadowy beauty drest, Lira o'er their transient hour. j Again the valleys that I loved Are blossoming and green, I The brook is gushing joyous on, Where my young feet have been. And by its side again I stray, Beneath the spell of love ; With .one., nqw gone from earth, to dwell Amid the courts above. The powerful wand of memory calls, Her form before my sight ; I almost feel her hand m mine And see her eyes of light. I hoped to live for purpose high, I dreamed of coming fame, And on the dusty field of life, .Thought of a lasting name. Ay, and m woman's heart I thought My memory should be dear, And the sweet fancy oft has lent A star, when life' was drear. So now, ye airy dreams of bliss, Ye thoughts of comfort, rise, And. though I know you're false, ye still tAre pleasing to my eyes; For ye are all that now remain Of man3 r a year long fled, Ye .are unto my weary soul The spirits of the dead. ' My lonely hours are yours, ye dreams, Ye dawnings of the past : Then weave your web of spell-worK fair, Though fated not to last. I'm sadly lone — no joys beside, On time's dark waste, I know, So let your visions rise for me While memory's fountains flow. O, little have I wrought of good, No laurels bind my brow, No woman's gentle heart is mine, Nor minstrel honors now ? Then come, ye shadows oi the past, Ye ghosts of scenes long fled ; Ye seem unto my' weary heart The spirits of the dead. . * -J. F. BURKE. Marton Junction, March. 1908.