poetry

Tuapeka Times, Volume XXII, Issue 1629, 5 October 1889, Page 1 (Supplement)

poetry

Aunt lltartha'B Spinntng-Wlieei.

With spider-webbing tottered In travesties of lace, 'Mid treasures years bare shattered — Once miracles of grace — Imploring Time to Bpare it, With rusty tongne of steel, Behold it in the garretAunt Martha's spinning-wheel, With slow- and pensive fingers I wipe the webs away, While loving Fancy lingers To paint an olden day. "When youth and bcanty crowned it What gay songs used to peal 1 Now crickets wail around it — Aunt Martha's spinning-wheel, T. softly touch the treadle ; It f,iTCB a plaintive squeak ; It bep me not to meddle, In murmurs gad and meek. Alas! the feet that lithely — Once twinkled through the reel, No more shall pat it blithely — Aunt Martha's spinning-wheel.^ How oft its noisy turning Hath served a lover's need, And kept Age from discerning What only Youth should heed I 'T would drown both vows and kis3es That lovers love to steal ; A dear old treasure this ia — Aunt Martha's spinning-wheel. For fear of house adbrner In search of bric-a-brac, Far in the garret corner With sighs I put it back ; And there, just as I found it, I leave for woe or weal With ghosts to glide around it, \unt Martha's spinning-wheel.