ORIGINAL VERSE.

Southland Times, Issue 19546, 9 May 1925, Page 18

ORIGINAL VERSE.

There were quite a lot of origisal verses this week, so 1 had to hold some over for next time. That’s a good sign, and I hope it will always be so. Do you know, there are lots of Cousins who I believe could write quite good verses if they’d only try. Now, how many of you are there who write poetry and never let me see it? I just wonder. Cousin Millicent’s “Dream” is very good, and you see I have awarded her the coveted 4 marks. “Pussy’s Sleep” pleased me very must, and I am surprised that a little girl of nine can be so independent, and I am proud, too, as I am of “Dawn.” Cousin Elsie’s “Sonnet” has a lot of faults and there are lots of places where it could be improved; but she has gone on the right lines, which is the main thing. “Springtime” has some very bad metre, and the rhythm in places is poor; but the idea is good, and some of the thoughts please me very much. A DREAM. Along a moonlit sea, a thousand gems there gleamed So lighting up a darkened way That to the artist’s eye a power of glory beamed And drew his thoughts to stay. To see amidst the fading light a long and wished for dream. As lively sprites then danced and flew Amidst the falling rays and crossed their shining beam i They bid him build his hopes anew. —4 marks to Cousin Millicent Broadbent (13),4 Compton road, Invercargill PUSSY’S SLEEP, You’re looking very solemn And, Oh! so very wise ’ But Thomas you’re not happy ‘ I see it by your eyes. They look so full of trouble And so full of tears unshed. Because you’ve been caught sleeping ' On the best spare bed. And on it you’ve left traces With your muddy little feet But seeing you’re repentent You may have your meat And then we’ll go to mother And we’ll apologize And tell her how you ventured in To rid the room of flies. And after lots of chasing You tired your little feet So just lay down and rested And then you fell asleep. And tell her that in future You’ll be so good and nice And when you go a-hunting T’will be for rate and mice. —3 marks to Cousin Helen Cormack (9), “Southgrove,” Gummies Bush. DAWN. Ah! ’tis dawn. The world is still. —Tis hushed in peaceful sleep. 1 Lo! the gently—babbling rill Doth always onward creep. Ah! ’tis dawn. The sunbeams float Along the pale blue skies. Lo! each cloud’s a tiny boat I With fleecy sails of sighs. Ah! ’tis dawn. The dewwrops shy Are running right away. Lo! the lark is now on high; So welcome, new-come day. —3 marks to Cousin. Annie Playfair (14), “Bonniefield,” Gummies Bosh. SONNET ON A CAT. O lovely and mischevious cat, Is there anything you’re not at, Your graceful tail, Your knowing face, Your purring voice, niagestic grace. Your paws are soft, your coat so In the dark your eyes do shine, You Jay out in the sun all day, In the night you prowl away, You’re not afraid one little bit, In the dark for hours you’ll sit, You’lF catch a mouse, perhaps a rat. You are a most useful cat. —2 marks to Cousin Elsie Amos (11), Mabel BokK SPRINGTIME. In springtime as I wander out, I lower my eyes to gaze about And wonder how Nature adorns the ground For flowers are blooming all around. A violet hangs her head in modesty, While a crocus unfolds her golden cup of beauty. Near by a cowslip nods her pretty head And the .dusty-niiller blooms in the garden-bed. In the glades the daffodil nods her pretty head While among the treetops the chematis doth spread. € With her starry, pure white flowers That are refreshed by springtime showers. The trees are clothed in robes of green While orchards are bright with blossoming trees And among the green trees birds are ringing For they hear the daffodil bells singing. —1 mark to Cousin Myrtle O. Somerville (13), 81u.7 road, Clifton.