AN APOSTROPHE.

Otago Witness, Issue 1895, 16 March 1888, Page 29

AN APOSTROPHE.

0 1 ye leaves of the stately forests, Ye leaves of the graceful flowers, How ye charm and instruct and gladden My weary and thoughtful hotira. What shadows are flung on the pathway, What traceries on the wall ; How ye veil wibh enchantment the casements Of cottage and lordly hall. What beajuty of form and colour, How countless the tints of green, Whether touched by the sunbeam's glory, Or the moonlight's silvery Bheen. What wonderful varied movements, How ye float and poise and wave, As ye ripple with whispered laughter, Or hush while the storm-clouds rave. Ye waltz and whirl aDd flutter As the summer breeze hurries by ; But what sobbing moans ye utter, In lament with the night-winds' sigh. What swarms on the twigs of the willow, How they feel for the grasses cool, Where they love to rest or to seek the breast Of the waveless and glassy pool. How the aspens dance and quiver, In restless though indolent motion ; Like the feeble gasp ot the billows Which nre api-nt on the brim of the ocean. The warrior oak trees' squadrons stand Each one stiff as a stationed warder ; Or the serried ranks ot a soldier band That is waiting its chieftain's order. Oil ! well may the feathered songsters Warble joy in the Uaty glade ; And well may the way-worn pilgrim Revive hope in the green arame. When friends have passed over the rivor, And my home shall be 'relt ot mirth ; My heart will 6till bless the fliver Of these beauti/ul things of enrt h, O, ye leaves of the stately forests, Ye leaves ot the uraceiul flowers, How ye charm and instruct aud gladden My weary ami thoughtful hours. —A. D. Dunedin, March 7.