Poems of Gladness.

Southland Times, Issue 22074, 22 July 1933, Page 19

Poems of Gladness.

—First Prize— Gladness is a magic thing, Like a beam of light That floods with gold the shadows bold, To drive away the night. Joy came lightly to my heart As I walked along; Now I’m all a-throb with mirth, Life’s a glad sweet song. Singing of a black-bird, Lilting of a stream; Shouting of the happy wind, Dancing shade and beam. Murmur of the grasses, Trees a-sway with mix-th; Gladness, like a happy smile Covers all the earth. What a lot of happy things Greet my eyes and ears; Gone is care, from everywhere, So it now appears. Music in the flowers, Crooning of a tree In my throat a sinfing bird Struggles to be free. -3/- and 4 marks to Cousin Chrissie Ross (14), Maia, Ravensbourne. —Second Prize— Happy is the lark, As it sings from dawn to dark; And I often wonder why It sings so sweetly in the sky. Happy children at their play On a lovely sunny day. Their heax-ts are filled with joy; Happy, happy girl and boy. And the farmer, as he wakes, Just as the pearly morning breaks, Starts the new day with a smile, And he keeps it all the while. The little soft lambs run and race, As they one another chase; Jumping, frisking all the day, Happy, happy lambs are they. —2/- and 3 marks to Cousin Pattie Smith (10), Glencoe R.D.

—Highly Commended.— Will you pack up all your troubles and come with me for a ride We will board a shining sunbeam to a land of joy so wide We will leave the silly worries for they’re out of place, you see, In the land of happy faces where our train will quickly be. There are streams that murmur sweetly as they trip their way along; There are forests where the fairies and the pixies join in song, We will see the sea-nymphs dancing on a shore of golden sand.. You will be severely punished, if you frown in Happyland. So just sweep away the cobwebs, let the sunshine train pull in Jump aboard and drop yoxir worries as the journey we begin. For such a trip before us we can treat them with disdain, And it really doesn’t matter if they’re never seen again. —2 marks to Cousin Margaret Jellyman (12), Queen street, Otautau. We’re happy in the spring-time When the Small lambs play about; When the daffodils are blooming, And the crocuses come out. We’re happy in the summer When the days are long and hot, Then we like to go for picnics And bathe and play a lot. We’re happy in the autumn When soft mists spread over all; When the leaves are turning yellow, And the rosy apples fall. We’re happy, too, in winter In spite of winds that blow, When we’re sitting snug beside the fire, Safe from hail and snow. —2 marks to Cousin Mary O’Brien (12), Haldane, Tokanui, R.D, There are soft, sweet voices calling, on the hill and in the dell, There is mUsic in the brooklet, like the tinkle of a bell; From a tree-top in the distance, comes the thrushes happy song, And the world seems just as happy as a summer day is long. There is laughter in the sunshine, there’s a carol in the rain; And the wind bears music with it, as it tears across the plain, There are joys at early morning, there are joys at evenine’s fall Till it seems a world of happiness that holds no care at all. So unite with us this morning, and a happy song we’ll sing, To all gloomy hearts around us, let us make its echoes ring, Then the shadows will be fewer, and the frowns be getting less For the world can hold no sorrow if its full of happiness. —2 marks to Cousin Connie Jellyman (14), Queen street, Otautau. We would be sweet and happy every day Did we but help in every little way. The violets lift their modest heads,

As the brooklet’s music soft Lulls the charming buds. The lark soars aloft In the dark blue azure sky. The bellbird’s and tui’s notes we hear Ringing through the bush so clear. The fishes lazily lie In the river close by. —2 marks to Cousin Catherine Green (9), 28 Devon street, Gore. —Commended.— The daffodils gold do shine, And the primroses in their line, Round the flower beds, Nestle their yellow heads. It is lovely to see Both the butterfly and bee, And hear the birdies sing All their lovely songs of Spring. The children’s voices ring As they merrily sing At their play, All the day. —1 mark to Cousin Joan Green (10), 28 Devon street, Gore. The sun is sinking in the west, All the birds have gone to rest. Then deep shadows gently fall, The owl gives his evening call. Then a gentle breeze Passes through the tall pine trees, The sky is shaded blue and red The seagulls are flying overhead. The gulls bid their last good-night, As they flutter by, ’tis a pretty sight. Across the sky clouds roll their way But lo! it is the ending of the day. —1 mark to Cousin Gwendoline Strachan (13), Riversdale. I simply can’t find the reason, why People in this world are sad; There’s so many wonderful things That should make everyone glad. There are many things of beauty That Nature dear, has made The flowers are most lovely, And their petals never fade. Native trees are very pretty With their leaves of evergreen Some imported trees are elegant But very rarely seen. —1 mark to Cousin Lawrence Moir (12), Eastern Bush, Blackmount, R.D. Joyous hearts of youth call out, To those happy far ba.k days, When the child of gladness told Of woods and winding bays. Far o’er the merry ocean, Where dainty fairies sing, The heax-ts of folk are gladdened, And the birds fly on the wing. Fair, noble deeds of kindness, Enlighten many a heart, And make the children happy, And play life’s long, sweet part. Let happy be your motto, And happy be your smile, For if each one is happy, You’ll find life is worth while. —1 mark to Cousin June Black (12), 138 Esk street.