POETRY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6362, 17 December 1898, Page 7

POETRY.

LOVE THEE STILL. Par away from thee I wander, — Far away from thee I roam; Seeking still some brighter prospect. Seeking still a better home.' 'Neath these sunny skies rid dearer Shall I find my heart to thrill, For I love thee, Bonnie Albion! Fairest Isle, I love thee still. In the midst of friends I'm' meeting, ' Ani I still a stranger yet,. -■■ . Though they give me kindly greeting, 'I can never once forget i Friends I've left, perhaps for- ever, ~' •'. ;. .Friends I never more may see, • ■! In my home beyond the ocean, Who are dearly loved by me.. ■ Memories sweet o'er me conic stealing •■ Of those distant, happy days, • Bringing oft a saddened feelingy As my thoughts in fancy gaze On those scenes, now lost for ever, Scenes which, "left their witching spell, But in all those days I never Loved my island home so well. ' . With its hills and shady hollows, And its fern-clad fairy, dells, Echoing back the Eoftest music From the sweet-toned Sabbath bells; Sweetest sound, go gently stealing O'er the hills and through the dell, To my inmost heart revealing' That I loved my home full well. Oft I wandered in -.the morning; v Dreaming dreams of childhood days, Rosy-tinted in the dawning ■ Of my untaught, youthful gaze. But those days are gone for ever, Later days with sorrows fill;: ' " ■ Yet "my love they shall not sever, Fairest Isle! I love thee still. Future days may ever find me Still an alien far from thee, ' ' Seeking still those youthful, day-dreams.; : Which I perhaps may never see. , ; : Yet my love they shall not sever Though they 'make my bosom thrill, 1 I will love my home for ever, • • ' Fairest Islfe! I'.ll love thee still. . v,'.' , ' CHRIS HARKER, Rakaia Gorge.