The First Crocus

Southland Times, Issue 25306, 8 June 1935, Page 18

The First Crocus

—Prize.— Dawn’s hymn of magic music filled the air, Cold waves of ecstasy were rising there. The first frail crocus shone above the ground, Joy’s silken waves were ebbing all around. I stood awhile; bemused by dreams, I think, _ I saw strange-plumaged birds come down to drink With perfumed beaks within the crocus cup, And little silent fairy sprites stole up Standing tiptoe to touch the petal rim. And lovely fingers, goddess-hke and slim, Dipped in the nectar of the flower bowl Then all at once grey curtains seemed to roll. But sounding in the .hills I heard the ring And growing whisper of the bells of Spring. —l/- to Cousin Chrissie Ross (16), 24 Lochend street, Tainui E. 1., Dunedin. —Prize.— One sprig of green above the earth The early crocus at its birth, And as it raised its dewy head New life seemed wakened from the dead. The very sunlight brighter grew, Until it shimmered in the blue. A bird flung back its pulsing throat And poured forth joyous note by note. And in the gentle, sunny air The little crocus flourished there. How gently breathed the balmy breeze, While gauzy green crept o’er the trees. Although the buds were nearly burst, The golden crocus blossomed first, When dancing sunlight swept the plain, The crocus flashed it back again. —l/- to Cousin Isobel McKenzie (13), Dipton. —Prize.— I woke up in my warm dark bed, Below the wintry earth; I felt that it was time for me, To leave my cosy berth. I tidied up my little home, And bidding it adieu, I made my way up through the earth, And Oh! So big I grew. But Ah!—The world was sad and cold; Forbidding was the sky. And Lo! There were no crocuses, Of any kind near by. I felt so lonely and forlorn. Till some one, passing by, Cried in surprise at seeing me “Aha! So Spring is nigh.” —l/- to Cousin Patricia Summers (15), Orepuki.

—Very Highly Commended— It tumbled as it opened wide Soft dreaming eyes of amber hue It hid among the spearlike leaves Which gathered close as if they knew Their burden dear. It made a brave and gaudy show Translucent chalice, rarest gold, And now it reared a proud young head. And flirting with the wind it told That spring was near. —3 marks to Cousin Joan Holmes (14), 78 Albany street, Dunedin N.I. ' —Very Highly Commended—- “ Good Morning Johnny Crocus, Are you really here? Bringing hope and joy to us Telling spring is near.” The wint.er days are o’er now Sunshine warm you bring. Let us make to you our bow, Herald of the spring! —3 marks to Cousin Keith Deal (11), 53 Mitchell street, Invercargill. —Highly Commended — Mother earth was bare and brown, And the first little crocus looked around. , She was dressed in a robe pinkish white. And all her petals were packed in tight. Not a flower like her could be seen, And not a blade of grass was green, She looked so pretty and neat in the sun, That she waved her leaves to everyone. —2 marks to Cousin Joyce Howden (9), Mataura Island. —Highly Commended— Up from the brown earth’s cosy bed, The first born crocus pushed its head; Slowly, surely, and with»dread, Lest Jack Frost, should freeze him dead. But this was the beginning of many more years, When the crocus early each spring appears; Growing older it quelled its fears, And laughed and nodded instead of tears. —2 marks to Cousin Jeanette Moore (11) 231 Gala street. —Highly Commended— One dewy morning, In early spring, When dear little birdies, Came back to sing. I walked in my garden, And chanced to see, The first little crocus, Smiling at me. ’Twas dress’t in yellow, It looked so sweet. I called to the others, The crocus to greet. They all gathered round her, A merry crowd. I’m sure the sweet crocus Smiled and bowed. —2 marks to Cousin Ruth Heath (12) Lilburn, Tuatapere.

—Highly Commended— One day I went into the garden, To have a look around, And I saw a tiny little crocus, Just peeping through the ground. When next I went to look, It was up a little more, It was in a tiny nook, Where no-one had ever looked before. —2 marks to Cousin Constance Lloyd (11), Section 5, Glencoe R.D. —Highly Commended— Little Johnny Crocus Pops up his tiny head, All the world rejoices To see him in his bed. Gone now is the winter, Says this little fellow, Flowers soon will blossom, Lemon, white and yellow. —2 marks to Cousin Ronald Deal (9), 53 Mitchell street. —Highly Commended— Springtime ruled o’er all the earth, And winter had but fled, When from out the long green grass, A small green shoot appeared. And then a tiny crocus bud Her petals gold unfurled, And swaying on a slender stem, Peeped out to see the world. The playful sunbeams filled her cup, A light breeze whispered nigh, Then as the sun began to set, She heard a night-bird cry. Her other little mates still slept, Beneath the dew-wet turf. She shivered as if colder grew, And longed for warm brown earth. The sky was starry overhead, But the night was clear and cold. And next day mournful sunbeams found The crocus withered, and old. —2 marks to Cousin Sylvia Scott (14), Queenstown. —Highly Commended— Beautiful in all her pride, the crocus is seen, Wonderful dew-tipped petals, the first one is she. She’s waving alone, so gallantly on the green, Beautiful in all her pride, the crocus is seen. _ . . She represents the winter, this is what I mean, Listening to the sighing breeze, so brave she’ll be. Beautiful in all her pride the crocus is seen, Wonderful dew-tipped petals, the first one is she. —2 marks to Cousin Lilian Todd (15), Toa P.O. LATE ENTRY. Up through Nature’s earthy bed, ’Neath a Fuchsia shady bower, ’Twas the first wee crocus leaf, Then a dainty, yellow flower.

Scent perfumed the mild air, From that delicate, sweetest bloom, Kissed from spring’s brilliant sun, Fuchsia touched the pride of plume. —2 marks to Cousin Catherine MacGillivray (13), Menzies Ferry.