VEGETATION AFTER RAIN.

Otago Witness, Issue 3111, 29 October 1913, Page 62

VEGETATION AFTER RAIN.

Lines written on Sunday, October 19, on her JB m (al ‘ d 3 effc “ cts > of Saturday, Octo The sky was grey.* tho rain fell down With steady, unabating care; The scene was gloomy, and a frown Hung o’er tho spirits of the air. Xext morn the sun the clouds dispelled—- , Its disc shone bright, tho sky was blue The landscape smiled, by joy compelled’ And chirping birds all eaug anew. The plants rejoiced in thankful pride, Their mother. Earth, upheld them ’strongThe roses shed their perfume wide And other blooms with them along. The vegic forms did green with speed, And gloss’d was leaf and thicken’d spine, That promised fruit for man, and seed For beast and bird, for bread and wine. Our lives are thus: the dark invades. And joy, and love, and peace are not; Our spirits sink, and grief pervades— Unhappy seems our path and lot. But Hope, Pandora's sprite, comes back, And at her step ill shapes retire; We view fair prospects in her track, And from our hearts brush off the mire. — T. E. Tomlinson.