EVENING ON THE WAIAKEREI RANGES, AUCKLAND.

Otago Witness, Issue 3112, 5 November 1913, Page 71

EVENING ON THE WAIAKEREI RANGES, AUCKLAND.

(For the Otago Witness.) Tis evening: skies the colour of the rose, ilame in the \\est; the quiet daytime goes; liic co\y-bells tinkle on the grassy height, J,; 1 , 0 ., 1111 , s proclaims the march of night. While, bubbling down its bed, with pebbles strewn, Tho creeklet sings its vekome to the moons riom yonder kauri inorepokes hoot, and strange Breeze-whispers send their message o'er th« range. Uvon this road I stand, and watch the dim, •* hi to moon o*r ise .tibovc tho grey earth’d rim : Far town-lights twinkle •, twenty miles away I see the ferries steaming down the bay. Great steamers, sailing in die harbour's door. Proclaim mo march of commerce to our shore; And faint clock-chimes, from distant steeple* rung. v Drift up to me, like spray from cc.oan flung. How far tho city, and how close those hillal While * standing here my soul with pathos fills— A strange, sad longing grips my heart for those Far lands o’ Fancy, coloured like the rose, I dreamed of when a boy; tho . lands of Song, , O’er which, in my drcam-car, 1 rede along, Hailed by my subjects, “'King of Arcady"—• A sight that never was, nor is to bo. Ah, we lib the brightest dreams in time decay ; As years go by our idols pass away. Four walls of stone, and ledgers, like stool gyves, Enchain our flesh, and crush our heart* and lives. The busy mart of warehouse and of shop. Takes places of dreams upon the. rn.-uiitaiu* top; The greedy Mammon, towards whoso foot wa push, Dispels the dreamer's vision of the bush. Yet, as I stand upon this range ‘alone, I think I hear the Judgment trumpet blown I New lands created, flaming light and gold Take precedent of blood-stained lands <.[ old. My dream of youth, comes true: both fax an cl wide I see my people live in peace and pride. The Horn of Plenty, flowing o'er the land, Leaves all folk happy—erne ebutouted band. Alas! what idle dream! what glory vain, To dream upon these hills above tho plain; Far Auckland’s lights are gleamingwith, my heart _ , O'er .pressed with sorrow, sicwly, I depart. To-moyfow, in an office, dark with oust. I’ll toil, and round me hear the scur.c.s of lust; The busy streets shall deaf my cars . • . although I hate and loathe .the city—i mus. go. E. L. Eyri Tui street, Devonport. Auckland.