The First Daffodils

Southland Times, Issue 21732, 18 June 1932, Page 19

The First Daffodils

—First Prize.— Autumn’s triumphant march across the land Made gay the countryside; with careless hand Upon expectant leaves warm hues she spilled, Splashing her colours where her fancy willed. She coaxed chrysanthemums to flame beside The garden-walks in all their brilliant pride Of gold and bronze; gaily she planned and dreamed Until, with sudden change of mood, she seemed To weary of the lovely tints that she Had scattered over all so lavishly. Came winter then, austere, stem-eyed and sad: The flowers that laughed, so confident and glad Winced and grew pale to feel the bite of frost; Brown, withered leaves by crazy winds were tossed Into a frantic dance; they might not cease, Poor, dead unhappy things that knew no peace. Then sighingly the pitying snow did fall, Spreading its gentle whiteness over all. And all this while, you, daffodil, asleep Lay wrapped in slumbrous silence, warm and deep. You did not know that frosts had been unkind; The wailing bitterness that was the wind Could reach you not; you did not feel the chill Of black, unhappy days. Alone and still You dreamed perhaps of drenching morns in spring Full of the ecstasy that thruses fling Amongst the flying silver of the rain. It may be that your thoughts had turned again To nights, star-dusted, when the flowing scent Of lilac-bloom and apple-bloom is blent. You slept in your earthy bed you stirred At times; a chance bird note you sometimes heard, And felt the patter of small, dancing feet When rains passed by; still, droning was so sweet! ; ( Was it the wind’s voice thrilling strange and deep That finally aroused you from your sleep, And filled your heart with longing for the light, For sounds and perfumes, warmth of sunshine bright? With patient toil and striving day by day Up through the earth you forced your slow, sure way. Your green spear leaves grew tall; you braved the cold Until that glad day when your petals gold Unfolded, and in silken frills arrayed You laughed, by winter’s threats quite undismayed. Oh, gallant gaiety, when all around Was drear, when skies black disapproval frowned! Surely you are too daring—slight and frail Will you not perish in the first fierce gale? No, wait; the wind has come, and worshipping It kneels before you, messenger of spring! —Cousin Katherine O’Brien (17), Haldane, Tokanui. —Second Prize.— Herald of Spring! Though Winter’s months be long And lingering shadows make them longer still, I love to -greet the Springtime with a song. Then welcome, Spring! and welcome Daffodil! I wandered lonely o’er the meadows green, All blown and tousled by the Winter’s blast, And as I gazed upon that cheerless scene, I mourned the withered roses of the past. Then to the flaming west my eyes I turned, To watch the setting of the golden sun. It seemed to me, that in that furnace burned The last of Winter’s wroth. It’s days were done. The hours of night were long, but, as they passed, The weight of gloom was lifted from my mind. I woke to find that Spring had come at last, And dreary Winter days were left behind. I gazed upon the dewdrops, glistening bright, While maiden Spring came tripping lightly past, And, as I stood transfixed with sheer delight, This golden blossom at my feet she cast. Welcome, sweet flower, and may your life be long— And long the mem’ry of your beauty last. Your graceful form calls to the lips a song, And fills the heart with gladness unsurpassed. Herald of Spring! Though Winter months seem long, And lingering shadows make them longer still, I love to greet the Springtime with a song. Then welcome, Spring, and welcome, Daffodil. —Cousin Vera I. Williamson (14), Baxter street, Balclutha. —Very Highly Commended.— Stormy and cold the morning Bitter and bleak the blast Winter my garden ruling Skies grey and overcast Cheerless and sad I wander Over the garden bare Thinking of glories faded Flowers that once blossomed there. Have they forever withered? Has Winter made their grave? Has he, with roaring voices Covered them, who once were brave? Look! and behold your answer Written so clear in gold One lone daffodil blooming Braving the icy cold. Gone are the frowns and sadness There is no cause to mope There on this cheerless morning Blooms the sweet message, “Hope” Soon will the Spring’s warm sunshme Scatter the clouds above Daffodil sweet, we greet you Back to the land we love. —Cousin Connie Jellyman (13), Queen street, Otautau.

—Highly Commended.— I wandered round a garden bleak and bare, Jack Frost had numbed with pain, lay’d drear, In cruel caprice. All joy was gone. My heart was dull with care; And for lost memories I dropped a tear.

As if that tear had paid the price, I caught a glimpse of yellow fleeting by, ’Midst desolation. And when you I did spy, it did suffice To bring joy even with leafless trees’ sigh. O daffodil, you bring a message here, You whisper hope, and promise more to come Of fragile yellow. But daffodil—you’ve chased away my fear, I have your memory, and it’s not dumb! —Cousin Constance Fox (15), 94 Earn street, Invercargill. I wandered on and on, disconsolate; For I was tired of Winter dreary, bare And life it seemed had not been kind to me. With gloomy thought that day I wandered past A grassy field. I saw not that its green Was painted by the artist hand of Spring. Even the budding bough I failed to see And thought of other things: I was downcast! But all at once a 'something’ caught my eye! A golden, gleaming ‘something’ mid’ the green! I gazed in wonderment for, by the gate. A daffodil stood laughing there at me. A daffodil! And I had been so sad Because of Winter’s drear and lengthy stay, And Sprin" whom I had vaguely thought so late, Had all the time been working silently. A daffodil! So beauteous and so rare I dared not pluck it from its grassy bed, But long I stood and drank its beauty in And soon my heart was glad and full of Spring. I left it there to brighten other hearts— To laugh and nod and sway with every breeze, And on I went determined to begin And look for life and joy in everything. —Cousin Annie Williamson (17), Baxter street, Balclutha. How sweet to see you nod your golden head, And wave your leaves, when little winds do blow; But oh! how short a while till you are dead, Please stay a little while before you go. But while you’re here, let your golden light, Shine o’er this land so drear and cold. You have youth and beauty for this night; To-morrow, you are withered up and old. —Cousin Doris Humphries, Chester street, Otautau. I saw a golden daffodil, Half hidden in grassy seas; That slender stem, and silken frill. Brought sweetest memories. _ Thoughts of Spring a-tripping, In a land, far far away. Greenly budding bushes, A joyous thrush’s lay. A cuckoo, shrilly calling, To herald in the mom, Mellow sunshine falling, From skies be-decked with dawn. A happy bellbird singing, It seemed to call to me; And then my heart went winging, To that land so fair and free; Tho’ I wander from my dreamland, There my heart shall dwell; And I’ll be back, rejoicing In that land I love so well. —Cousin Chrissie Ross, 66 Stafford street, Dunedin.