SELECTED VERSE.

Waikato Times, Volume 104, Issue 17502, 8 September 1928, Page 13 (Supplement)

SELECTED VERSE.

AND NOW FOR FLIGHT. v And now for flight. The day’s slow steps axe taken. I have walked quietly upon the street. And turned dull corners, knowing aLI too well What lay beyond each one. I have exchanged “good morning” with my neighbour, And with the stranger who paused beside my gate, And there was no surprise nor ecstasy In any word they said. I have paid out small coin for wine and bread, Knowing the taste of every drop and morsel Before it touched my lips. And now the night is come, And all Hiese things Are vanished like a forgotten dream. I am away upon the Mings of darkness, Those wide and tireless wings. I am away Unto places I have never known Save in my thirsting and my hungering. Flight— Far and endless flight— And wordless song, And timeless rapture. —Barbara Young. A SHADOW.

He sneered at faith —a shadow . . Give him brawn, A ready hand, a stomach for a squall Or lashing storm, and, blow from dark till dawn, From llatteras to Fear, he’d show them all 1 The weather thickened; sails were torn away; Decks seethed with furious combers. Raging, he Strained at the wheel —kicked- one who tried to pray Unconscious, cursing imbecility. The stout bark cracked and writhed, but won her light, Shattered and maimed —a wraith of former pride— And, in. the ghastly calm that followed, lolled Wallowing, helpless. Water failed; suns rolled Malignant, searing—till, one breathless night, A shadow drove him, screaming, overside. . . : —Harold Willard Gleason. LOVES OF THE SPIDER. Lady Spider, how is this? Death the toll of every kiss? And your stomach satiated With the very heart you mated? But your sentimental lack rids Other gentleman anacrids, Surely, of the wish to win you? No? The gallantries continue? Tell me—from a seemly distance — Is that grim piece de resistance One who lately wooed too well? Kissed, but "never lived to tell? —Olive Ward. THE ICEBERG. Cold and silent as Death I creep From the land of the ice and snow; Like a lost soul I wander alone In the path where the great ships go. Ghost-like I steal thro’ the driving fog That hides -both sea and sky. “Look-outs” upon their high crow’s nests ■Curse me as I drift by. Like Judas accursed I wander on ’Pill winds shall cease to blow. Death is my mate that sails with me In the track where the great ships go. -—Campbell of Saddcll. SUNRISE AND SUNSET. Why flush so red the skies at dawn? Is theirs the sweet surprise Of gods that wake to gaze upon The world with loving eyes? Why blush so red the skies at eve? Is theirs the conscious flame Of disillusioned gods that grieve For human sin and shame? William Douglas. POT-LUCK. The cheerful fire now crackles on the hearth, And glitters on the pokers and the “Dogs," The china ornaments have had their bath And simper, white, above the glowing logs, While the chintz chairs —in cosy curve arrayed—All wonder why you haven t called and stayed; Stayed till the warning gong invites each sinner To wash his face and hands and come to dinner. 13.G.F.

THE BUCCANEER. Wc arc far from sight of the harbour lights, Of the sea-ports whence we came, But the old sea calls, and the cold wind biles, And our hearts are tuned to flame. And merry and rich is Hie goodly gear We’ll win upon the tossing sea, A silken gown for my dainty dear, And a gold doubloon for me. It’s the old, old road and the old, old quest Of the cut-throat sons of Cain, South by west and quarter west, And hey for the Spanish Main. —John Masefield.

AT "THE LOVERS’ LEAP.” The whisp'ring birches gaily Hung Their ilick’ring shadows far below Upon the rocks that overhung The laughing streamlet’s How, Where lingers still Ihe magic spell Of lovers who loved true and well, In days long, long ago. We were not lovers, you and I, For one was young and one was old, But yet we thrilled In sympathy Willi what the birches told; For love's a theme that never lires, In chill, dim age, or youth’s quick fires, Its ligiit turns all to gold. —Nora C. Usher.