OUR OWN VERSE-MAKERS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXIII, Issue 18761, 27 December 1930, Page 12

OUR OWN VERSE-MAKERS

(Poems held over from the Christmas Page). TREES. I like the weeping willow trees, Although they seem so sad. They sway merrily in the breeze, And really are quite glad. I do not like the poplars, though, They stafid so stiff and hard, And when their boughs are draped with snow They look so worn and scarred. I don’t like elderberry flowers, They are so cold and white; I like the kowhai’s golden showers, For they are warm and bright. I like the red may’s bloom the best, Though it doesn’t last long; And now the bluegum’s golden crest Will finish up my song. (3 Marks and a Merit card awarded to “Western Sunset,” Helen Muir, Kurow, aged 14). SHOE-MAKER DAN. Oh, have ever you heard of Shoemaker Dan In his little shop over the way? He’s the dearest and queerest and brightest old man In all the world to-day. Quickly he’ll mend us a boot or a shoe On any day of the week. He’ll sole them and heel them and patch them all, too, For when weather is cold and bleak! Nobody need be without a friend, While Dan lives and loves each day; And he’ll mend our shoes right to the end In his little shop over the way! (3 Marks and a Merit Card awarded to “Damask Rose,” Lottie Sapwell, Timaru, aged 16). A HOLIDAY BY THE SEA. Oh! holidays are jolly days I'm sure we all agree, Especially when staying at Timaru by the sea. With spades and buckets off we set To build a castle grand; Oh! who has never known the joy Of digging in the sand! Then on the swings it is such fun, We nearly reach the sky; And see-saws, too, go up and down; First we are low, then high. And on a warm and sunny day, When sea and sky are blue, We all go bathing in the Bay— I love it then, don’t you? But if the wind blows very cold, Then we find together A sheltered nook, and story-book— Never mind the weather. (“Shepherdess,” Joan Mary Thomson, Timaru, aged 7). HOLIDAYS. Christmas time is very near, And the holidays are here. We have put our books away, Now we’ll go on holiday. We like the Christmas holidays The best of all the year, So, let’s gladly shout, “hurray!” For at last they’re her. Where are we. going this Christmas? Down to the seaside, or where? Perhaps, we’ll go to the bush, instead; We’d have a great time there! (1 Mark and a Merit Card awarded to “Snowy,”—Doreen Irwin, Cave, aged 12.)