MID SHIVERING GRASS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2359, 11 May 1899, Page 59

MID SHIVERING GRASS.

The heavens are bright, and the great round

moon Hangs there in the silver sky, Silver is on the grass tips here, And a breeze goes wandering by. The folks have fled from the old farmhouse, 'Twas wrecked on the rock of Time, The doors are ajar, the windows gape, And the vermin grovel in grime, Which clings to the roof and floors and sides, Thicker growing each day, While I and Time and the World go on, Gradually wearing away. I am dreaming, and let me dream, Be the thoughts for good or harm, I want to dig up some long-lost years, Possessing a ne'er-lost charm — One that has clutched my heart as firm

As the fangs of an octopus, As long as I like to think of now —

Was it thus, and ever thus?

And here to-night it clutches worse than Ever it did of old, 'Mid sheen of silver and shivering grass I'm lost in the glamour of gold. Golden glamour and gilded dreams of the days

When the stockwhips rung, And I felt the blood horse's pulse's beat aa On to his back I sDruns.

The crushing of scrub was mxisic then, and The maddened bullocks moan Rushed into my ears as I sailed along On the back of a sprightly roan. Well, that was fun — good fun, if you like — but It hasn't the grip of the heart To bring boiling blood to the temples quick And make the salt teardrop start. Does it matter now? Well, I scarcely know, And yet — well, .it ought to do, For she pledged hei faith, and I pledged my faith, And swore to be firm and true. 'Twas here where I stand, near this broken fenca, That we kissed, and I feel it yet: To my li2>s it came from her red lips — ' It lives, and I can't forget. Fair she was as manuka flower, and — Lord! for to see her ride! She could stick to anything ovei the earth That ever was cased in hide. But why do I talk? And what dc I say in The brightness here to-night? I cannot restore those ruby lips, or those Cheeks so lovely and white. The farmer's daughter I used to love hag Gone to a land her own, She nutters back in the moonlight here, And speaks in a gentle tone. I "can feel her breath on my brick-brown cheek Her kiss on my lips I feel, The blood's at my brow in a fiery rush, on My heart is the grip of steel. Round my neck, how she clings, this beautiful maid, And whispers of love I hear; Closer we clasp, and my arms go out, for True is our love, and dear! The heavens are brignt, and the great rouno moon Hangs there irj the silver sky, Silver is on the grass tips here, and A breeze goes wandering by. I am dreaming, and. let my dream be The thoughts for good or. harm, I want to dig wp some long-lost years, Possessing a ne'er-lost cliarm— " One that has clutched my heart as firm As the fangs of an octopus, As long" as I like to think of now — Was it thus, and ever thus? .THOMAS M'MAHON" Wellington, Apri' 1899.