Verse-Old & New

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19313, 1 May 1937, Page 13

Verse-Old & New

Bugle at Dawn Dark before the dawn, with street lights gleaming; Clouds of darkest late; Winds that whispered from the west

way; Fine rain drifting through, .

Soft; it fell upon the wrapping Of the cross I carried down, With its vivid scarlet, blossoms, To soldiers’, monument in town

Then I placed the cross of scarlet; Against the marble pile, Where the glare of lights electric Shone down all the while.

Silent flowed the dark green river, Catching glints of light. Figures, trees, came through the dawning Eerie —dark or white.

Then the sentries at the four steps, Like men of bronze at corners stood; Anil the bugler ’gainst the marble Sounded clear, towards clouds of mood.

I could see the cross of scarlet Changing as the greyness passed; Came the feet of tramping soldiers, Then other wreaths placed last.

When the bugle’s last note sounded, The east was flushed in rosy red. As flaming banner to watch and herald Our tribute to the dead. —Alary Ramsay Ellen Blair.