ORIGINAL VERSE.

Southland Times, Issue 19690, 24 October 1925, Page 22

ORIGINAL VERSE.

I’m getting really apprehensive every time I hand in this column to the printer-man—he must surely think me a greedy big Cousin, with no idea whatever of the fitness of things. But of course it isn’t my fault at all, but that of you Cousins who are continually delighting and surprising me. And I don’t call that a fault at all—do you? Well, here is Cousin Daphne adding fresh laurels to her already blooming crown, and “The Tui’a Song to his Mate” is by no means the least of these. From the point of view of ease and fluency, it i«4 one of the most delightful poems she has achieved, and I could just hug her for the way her imagery is developing. She is becoming adept, too, at controlling rhymed oattern and rhythm. Similarly “A Life’s Story” gives me more pleasure than anything else Cousin Annie has done—at least, I thing so, though that's a sweeping statement! Particularly do I like the phrase “dreamy green,” though its effect is rather spoiled by the repetition in the second and third verses, a thing which must always be avoided, except in special cases for erratic effects. Cousin Millicent has attempted a big subject in an ambitious way in ‘The Song of the Boatmen,” and has done quite well considering. The metre is not rhythmic enough to convey the gigantic, rolling braggart sea; but that which she uses she uses well, with excellent results. As a collective piece of work, Cousin Millicent has done none better, and there is more polish and decision about it than in some of her former work. The line “Our song is the sea billow’s roar” is particularly good, as also is the phrase, “the broad brimming waves.” Millicent is fulfilling the hopes I have for her. “Little Sister” is quite good, and pleasantly rhythmic, and the sentiments are well mustered and set forth attractively. “The Birdies” is not as well commanded as Cousin James’ earlier work, but has good touches which partly redeem it.” THE TUI’S SONG TO HIS MATE. Awaken my love and come welcome the day! The blushes of dawning illumine the skies; The breezes grow sweet with the breath of the flowers That jewel the green of convolvulous bowers; The tomtits are chirping—so early are they, Awaken my love and come welcome the way! Come welcome the day with melodious song, The sunshine is golden, the daylight is long; . Come soar through the spaces of dear endless blue— 5 The days of the Springtime are sweetest to woo; The bushland is calling, oh, come love and sing, Come fly o’er the tree-tops on satiny wing! The rata is blooming, the flax-flowers are red; There’s yellow-gold pollen to powder your head; We’ll feast upon berries and drink of the dew— I’ll build a sweet, nest in the tree-tops for you— Come, dwell with me there and the days shall be long Made fair by the love and the music of song! —4 marks to Cousin Daphne Godward (16), 397 Elies Road, North Invercargill. A LIFE’S STORY. Oh, apple tree, how sweet you look to-day, Arrayed in little leaves of dreamy green) Those lightsome leaflets shaking in the breeza, And calling forth remembrances serene. Oh, apple tree, how sweet you look to-day, Arrayed in tiny buds all pink and white! Those little buds a-nodding dreamily, As starshine shaking through the veil of night. Oh, apple tree, how sweet you look to-day, Arrayed in full-blooms soft as down. Those blossoms robed in beauty gently soft A waving in each dreamy silver gown. Oh, apple tree, how sweet you look to-day, Arrayed in rosy apples bathed in dew! As red as rosy dawn beyond the west, With little bits of silver peeping through. Oh, apple tree how sweet you look to-day, Arrayed in golden gems from Autumn’s crown! Those precious gems soft leaves of gold and red A-fadsng and a-falling softly down. —4 marks to Cousin Annie Playfair (14), Gummies Bush. THy. iSONG OF THE BOATMEN. Come, come all the sons of the sea, Leave shore to the fearful and weak, And out on the broad brimming waves, And spoil in their bosom we’ll seek. Then dip oars, dip, To the roll of the revelling sea, And heave-oho men, For the sons of Neptune are we. Come spread our nets on the rocks, And off for a row on the tide. Up hills and down dales on the waves, Our boat in sure safety shall glide. Then dip oars, dip, To the roll of the revelling sea, And heave-oho men, For the sons of Neptune are we. Oh! fearless are we in the storm, The tempests we care nothing for, For men of the sea all are we, Our song is the sea billow’s roar. Then dip oars, dip, To the roll of the revelling sea, And heave-oho men, For the sons of Neptune are we. —4 marks to Cousin Millicent Broadbent (14), 5 Compton Road, Trafalgar, In’gill. LITTLE SISTER. I wonder what makes me love you, Oh sweet little sister of mine? Is it the smile in your eyes, dear, Or your cheeks so soft and fine? It is your golden curb clust’ring Around your brow so white? Is it the dimple in your chin? Or is it your smile so bright? Is it the pattering sound. Made by your baby feet ? Is it the merry laughter In your face, so audaciously sweet? I wish I knew, sweetest my dear, What makes me love you so, From each thread of your shining hair Down to each dainty frolicsome toe. —3 marks to Cousin Gladys Stimpson (14), 20 Sydney Street, North Invercargill. THE BIRDIES. Oh! Oh! The birdies, I know, Would like to have tea, With dolly and Flo. We’ll go into the. barn, Where the birdies keep warm And sprinkle some crumbs — It’ll do no harm. And we’ll see how glad The birdies will be When they see so many Crumbs there for their tea. 3 marks to Cousin James Amos (9), Mabel Bush BUT A DREAM. A horrid dream I had last night, That really frightened me; For I was in most sorry plight, Tied by my hair to a tree! An ugly goblin sat above, A worse one below me; Dame Nightmare had me sure enough, Tied by my hair to a tree! Their scornful laughter rang out clear, (They laughed, of course, at me); As there I hung, in deadly fear, Tied by my hair to a tree! And in great joy their hands did flaunt, A bony, hideous glee; And down to me threw cruel taunta. Tied by my hair to a tree! But then (most wondrous thing of all!) Those goblins took their fee, Then ’way they went —but STILL left me Tied by my hair to a tree! Till unto me came the sweetest thought, A thought that brought great glee; For, really, actually, I was not Tied by my hair to a tree! —3 marks to Cousin Eileen Jaquiery (15), 21 George street, North Invercargill. DREAMS. I dreamt that I was on a mountain, Gazing at distant lands, I dreamt that I was a fountain, Rising out of the sand. I dreamt of things unknown to me; Of angels so beautiful and fair; I dreamt of heaven and purity, And riches great and rare. But these, alas! were only dreams. Dreams which are very rare; They faded away, like sweet perfume. On the fragrant Summer air. —2 marks to Cousin Tui Leyden (11), Otautau.