Dog Creek, Hanmer Springs

Kai Tiaki : the journal of the nurses of New Zealand, Volume XV, Issue 3, 1 July 1926, Page 133

Dog Creek, Hanmer Springs

It winds round the hill like a troupe of gay fairies, And as it leaps nearer it frolics and varies: A silver-lit stairway all rhythm and prances, Like diamond-girt fairies enjoying their dances. Enjoying their dances with song; O the glitter That darts to and fro from each jewelled, wee slipper. 'Gainst boulders, thro' arches, it tumbles and passes, And sends a cool ripple to freshen the grasses: And over the stones, brown and red, gray and yellow, Each wrinkle-topped wave sings a song to its fellow. Tis laughter m song, where a silver light gleaming Crowns the sombre old stones where the waters are teeming. O happy, wee brooklet! m bed of soft shingle, Where shimmering bubbles, like pearls round you mingle With fragrant broom blossoms m golden bright dresses That golden broom bushes shake down from their tresses, Your rainbows, your circles, with sunlight all quiver, Come, teach me your song as you dance to the river.

The Creek's Reply

My song is so sweet that I cannot be grieving For gray, red and yellow-brown stones that I'm leaving, Or golden broom bushes, or tender young grasses, Or numberless treasures that lurk m my passes, Or fairy-lit stairway, or silver light gleaming. Or rainbows or circles where sunbeams lie dreaming. I would leave all the sparkling air bubbles you see For lasting, more beautiful pearls m the sea, Where through billow of spray as I soar into space, Or a rift m the storm, I shall look on God*s face. For He knoweth each drop of the deep where I'll lie 'Neath the glowing, rich colours flung down from the sky. I'm a child of the ocean — I'm going to be A son of the wonderful, rolling, wide sea. I am dancing for joy, for the sea is my goal, And I sing, for I'm part of the wonderful whole. E. M. Goldsmith.