ABANDONED ROADS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3993, 23 September 1930, Page 62

ABANDONED ROADS.

We are the abandoned roads. Beside the great highways we linger. We have faltered, stumbled in the on-

. ward march, And now -we look wistfully on. Resigned, like old people in chimney-

corners, We watch these young roads, Smooth of face, broad-backed, strong-

muscled. How they swagger! How they conquer all obstacles! “ Narrow,” they sneer, swerving past us. Yes, we are narrow. No time had

our makers for broad roads. They must press - forward! But they stirred up our dust with their

laughter, Racked it down with their tears and

the sweat of their bodies. Through the years w’e have bowed to

their burdens. In their triumphs, defeats; in joyous

procession, in mourning, They have deepened our ruts, they have

furrowed our faces. In silence w r e watch while the young

roads Lift all care from our shoulders. Soon our last faint traces will be hidden by grasses and wild flowers.

But we have lived abundantly, We abandoned roads. —Amy May Rogers, in “ Conteinpories from Tennessee.”