UNANIMISTE POEM: THE EXPRESS.

New Zealand Tablet, 19 August 1920, Page 39

UNANIMISTE POEM: THE EXPRESS.

On sways the tilting train : ‘ ‘ We feel the carriage bluffly sideways blown, We see the chill-shower brighten on the pane, We hear the high wind through the lantern moan, We three borne ever through the wind and rain. We three who meet here not to meet again, We three poor faring fools who sit alone. Now is the time if so be you would speak. Why, being friend, be proud or why be meek? Or to be meek or proud is to be weak. He sits in shoddy clothes and he is shy, " - He is the sort that avoids every eye Lest his wild heart could never stanch its cry. But as he sits he aches in every limb, He is so tired that his eyes are dim And touch at yours. Now speak to him. On swings the pounding train: Hard hail raps by. You dare not speak again. She sits well bred, well drest, but does not shun' The looks of others. An aged winter sun . She is, and dozes and peeps briefly out in fun.. Why be so meek ? She hears the loud wheels whir She wearies. She would sleep but for the stir . , , She feigns a look shot past. Now speak to her. Loud shrills the buried train: Darkness. It clears. You dare not speak again. But the giant Train begins a confident song : “I \ hi/ he so meed:., so proud , when hath are wrong 1 lie who would love , must learn, learn to he... strong V* Suddenly all three speak as from one brain. We do not feel the carriage sideways blown, VNor see the chill shower brighten on the pane, Nor hear the high wind in the lantern moan, We three borne ever through the wind and rain. We three who meet here not to meet again, We three sweet fools who do not sit alone. On storms the soaring train. — Robert Nichols, in the Athenceum.