VERSE OLD AND NEW

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LII, Issue 17058, 12 June 1926, Page 10

VERSE OLD AND NEW

MEMORIES OF MARINERS. My mint! goes back to the days in ‘ ‘ sail, ” Wheii 1 looked on “steam” with Scorn, To the long, long days when the wind was ahead, And the blow off the Pitch oi‘ the Horn. And it thrills my blood when I hear once more • The order to shorten sail, And I see the slope of the slanting deck, As site heels to the freshing gale. The wind that whistles through every shroud Is singing the call of the sea, Calling me far from the madding crowd, N Oul where the wind blows free. Par away from the smell of steam. Of the clash of the racing screw, Where we steer a course if the wind is abeam, if ahead bv the lifting clew. But mv wandering thoughts are recalled with a bound, By the Gyro Pilot’s click, And I look at the empty wheel going round - , " cWith no one taking his trick. And the Mighty Motors sing this theme, Through the throat of their fierce exhaust, You have left behind both “sail” and ‘ ‘ steam, ” You are up-to-date at last. —Ca.pt. R. Crawford, of the Aorangi. MOONLIGHT ON THE TREES. Last night the moon was spooning. Around the pepper tree, Its beauty made-illuming With shafts of witchery, lie danced amongst its branches, And kissed the lacev leaves That shone in green enchanting, With silver tight between. I sat and watched his antics, With silence all around, A mystic, spell enchanting, Go that my thoughts wore bound In mystery and moonlight, And glens of fairy lore Lay open in the still night, 1 W never seen before. I saw him from my window, Caressing all the leaves, And decking them with moonpearls That glittered through the trees. I watched him shining clearly, High up among the clouds, Ilis smile was bright and cheery, On everything he found. llow lovingly he lingered, Around v the pepper tree. And touched with jewelled finger Each leaf that 1 could see. They smiled so glad and winsome, Where'er he seemed to be, But ah, the moon was spooning, Around the pepper tree. —P. Minnis. THE BOLSHIE’S DREAM. Viewed by the Bolshie’s jaundiced eyes Peace is a most unpleasant word; Whatever troubles may arise ' They should be vigorously stirred. Only by fostering wrath and hate Can man achieve a Soviet State. So in our troubles he perceives A chance of Britain going “red.” Our toiling miners, lie believes, If they are adequately led, May cause our ordered State to crash In one soul-satisfying smash. He harbors no desire to see Agreement friendly and complete By which a failing industry Might happily regain its feet. Ruin, starvation, civil war To him seem better things by far. His creed, if he might be believed, Would bring us joys too great to tell. Ami, though at home he has achieved Only a dismal, sordid hell, His cruel, bloodstained, ape-like hands Itch lo dismember other lands. —Touchstone, in the Daily Mail.

PARADISE. Who secs the love i hfit round him lies Knows one great joy of Paradise. * it ’ ' * * Who blesses God for morning skies, Ami-for ihe steadfast stars that rise Night after night, like watchful eyes, lias set bis feet in Paradise. Who studies to be humbly wise. With wisdom for his only prize, Nor craves the power that knowledge buys, Has treasure trove, in Paradise. Who for his neighbor’s need denies Himself, who heeds a dumb thing’s cries And swift to help the helpless flies, Has jnnnv friends in Paradise. • • • » Hot who to save another dies Stars straightway into Paradise. " rnl—l —Kathleen Lee, in Daily Express.