Musa Pathologica

Kai Tiaki : the journal of the nurses of New Zealand, Volume III, Issue 2, 1 April 1910, Page 87

Musa Pathologica

How fair this nursling culture grows, As dew drops on the opening rose It blooms upon the gelatine Like herald buds of jessamine. A flower, and yet it seemeth more As though upon an agar shore, Relinquished by the falling tide, A wealth of pearls lay scattered wide. Oft have I in the midnight hour Upon some heavenward lifted tower vStood, and with reverent upward gaze Beheld Orion's starry maze. But now another theme, I find, Brings inspiration to my mind ; The magic of the telescope Now lives upon this agar slope. This slope where I, with loving toil, Have grown a coccus from— At bo I, To me it seems more beauteous far Than opening bud or glittering star. Where Midas touched, gold gleamed from lead ; . Red roses bloomed where Caesar bled ;

Where she once touched this agar glue A growth now bursts upon my view — A growth with so much beauty wrought That others seem but dross, and nought Is found its peer. Oh, fitting gem To grace Scientia's diadem ! — K. M. W