ORIGINAL VERSE

Southland Times, Issue 22199, 16 December 1933, Page 18

ORIGINAL VERSE

EVENTIDE. The busy day is done, its voices stilled, The sun sinks slowly in the golden west, The shadows lengthen, and the air is filled With sweet soft voices calling all to rest. The charm of summer in its evening lies; The cooling breeze blows softly on its way, Forgotten is the toil as daylight dies And peace attends the closing of the day. The dawn, the toil, and heat will come again When sunbeams chase the shadows far and wide; But now across the mountain and the plain There comes the call of rest at eventide. •—3 marks to Cousin Connie Jellyman (14), Queen street, Otautau. WORK AND PLAY. The days upon my calendar I tick off, one by one; I think, as out November goes, The year is almost gone. The pens and books, and such like things, Will soon be put away, The stirring breeze a whisper brings About a holiday. With voices sweet the waves will call All children to their side. From shady forests echoes fall Where elves and fairies hide. The babbling brook sings out its song, The meadow and the flowers All call and beckon us along To cool and shady bowers. But first comes work, and may we do Each one our very best, For this will surely pull us through Examinations’ test. Then when the books are laid away And all the work is done, . We’ll turn with happy hearts to play, Content that we have won. —4 marks to Cousin Margaret Jellyman (13), Queen street, Otautau.

The year is getting older, and its days will soon be done; But, Cousins, there is work to do before his race is run; For little acts of kindness and a word or two of cheer Will help to bring to others such a glad and bright New Year.

So every little cousin, even if of tender age, Collect your sweetest thoughts and put them in this cheering page. A loving Cousin Betty will receive your gifts of love While angels nod approval from their homes so far above.

For loving thoughts and actions always ease the heavy load Of many a weary traveller upon the dusty road. So while the year is passing, scatter kindness more and more, And usher in a glad New Year in nineteen thirty-four. —4 marks to Cousin Connie Jellyman (14), Queen street, Otautau.

END OF YEAR.

Another year is fading, Its race is nearly run; The holidays are calling, And work will soon be done. The books and pens and lessons Will soon be put to rest; And happy thoughts are with us If we have done our best

Our places in the schoolroom By others will be filled, While we shall all move onward, By new surroundings thrilled. Yet while the old year lingers Some good we all may do; The smiles we give to others Will keep them smiling too.

So as the year is passing, We’ll do the best we can To leave the world more happy Than when the year began. Then, as farewell we wave him, We’ll open wide the door And give a rousing welcome To nineteen thirty-four.

—4 marks to Cousin Margaret Jellyman (13), Queen street, Otautau.