Selected Verseo

Waikato Times, Volume 109, Issue 18342, 30 May 1931, Page 13 (Supplement)

Selected Verse o

THE FIRST DEATH.

When Adam came upon his son Relaxed and stretched out in the field, lie cried against him who 'could yield To sleep, and leave his work undone. But Abel neither answered back, Nor rose up with a face of shame; Whereon his father called his name, And straightway felt a curious lack Of reason in the quietness Prevailing over heaven and earth. The lad’s tight mouth seemed drained of mirth Forevermore; a measureless And tragic peace surrounded him. Blended mysteries of grief and fear Shook Adam’s heart, and bending near, He touched one cheek, one rigid limb, Then- in deep wonder looked away From the lifeless rr>ns« of to find Preserved forever In bis mind The deathless Anei, young and gay. —Helene Mullins.

A KIND WORD AND A PEBBLE.

Drop a peDDie in the water, just a splash and it is gone; But there are half a hundred ripples curling on, and on, and on; Spreading, spreading, spreading from the centre, flowing on out to the sea; But there's not a way of telling where the end is going to be.

I/rop a word of cheer and kindness, in a minute you forget: But there’s gladness stilt a-swelling and there’s joy a-cireling yet, And you’ve rolled a wave of comfort whose sweet music ran be heard Over miles and ot water, Just by dropping a kind word

TO AN ARMCHAIR CRITIC.

Sir, I’ve read your caustic comments, What you say may well be true, But just no\v| with your permission, I should like to question you. Did you ever paint a picture, Carve a statue, make a speech? Did you ever learn by labour, Anything the line arts teach? Have you ever made great music, Or a new creative book? Have you ever known pure Nature, Wood and mountain, sea and biooxT Have you ever travelled widely, Studied Life, first-hand, yourself? Or is all your Knowledge bounded By the volumes on your shelf? Have you ever seen world marvels— Seen the Sphinx’s secret smile, The Necropolis by moonlight, Or the ruins by the Nile? Have you paused in breathless wonder At the magic of the day— At 'y.h sunset on fhe desert, Or the sapphire Naples Bay? Never 1 For the myriad wonders Of the earth and of the sea, Would lay bare the tawdry glitter Of a critic's fluency. Will you ever leave your armchair And the books upon your shelf, And set forth, a humble pilgrim, To interpret Life yoQrself? Will you ever make the effort To "employ your subtle brain On a worthier, greater object Than to cavil and complain? If you do, you’ll find sheer living Makes your criticism fade, And for loving and creating Were the reasons Man was made I Grenville Kleiser,