THE FALL OF THE LEAF.

Otago Witness, Issue 2401, 8 March 1900, Page 53

THE FALL OF THE LEAF.

The leaves are falling, falling, Around mo thick and fast, Their lovely hues recalling The gloiy of the past. I watch them slowly flutter, Like snowflakes, to the ground, And hear them^ gently utter A warning voice -aiound. " Like us, 0 fellow mortal, Scon thou to dust shalt fall, Before that gloomy portal, That doth thy soul appal. Sweet Spring may perhaps Caress you, Bright Summer may be kind, Calm Autumn, too, may bless you, But Winter's still behind! " Oh learn from us a lesson — Be happy while yoti may — Tbine hours of light, 0 dress them In floAVcrs of bright array. "With green leaA re 3r e3 AvreaLhe each blossom, And shelter from ihe blast, And they shall glad thy bosom When sunny days are past. " And Avhen the cold wind fastens At last upon, thy b.ov/. And Death, in kindness, ha&tcas To loos 9 ihee froia the bough, O gently, gently flutter, Like u& lirito the sod, No cry of anguish utter, / But trust all to thy God!" — H.J. B. February, 1900.