BOOKS OF THE DAY

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3094, 26 May 1917, Page 11

BOOKS OF THE DAY

The Poetry of D. M. Ross. Lovers of good poetry, more especially those who are interested in. tho work of New Zealand writers, should not fail to purchase a copy of a little paper-backed volume, "Morning Bed, • With Othor Lyrics and Song's," by D. M. Ross (Wildman and Aroy, Auckland). Mr. Ross, whose previous books of verso, "Tho Afterglow," "The Proraise of tho Stars," and "Hearts of the Pure," will doubtless be remembered by many of my readers; is specially happy in his employment of tho Bpnneli form: The opening ana title poem, "Morning Red," is in four_ ten line verses. It is a stirring poem, blazing with pride in the conflict of Right versus Might. There is the ring of true poetry also in the fine devotional pieces, "The Christmas Tree" and "Mother" Song. But I would rather select for quotation tho fine sonnet, "The Silent Tide," which is surely musio in words;

I .heard Old Ocean raise liy s-jico and

ay, In that still hour between the night and day; I caw the answering tides, Rreen-robtvl and gray, Tarn to hor wif.h a low contented eigh; Marching with silent feet they jiassed me For the while moon had taught them to obey, And scarce a wavelet, broke in fretful spray ' As they went forth to kiss the stooping 6ky. ;

So, to my heart, when tho last sunray sleeps, And the wan night, impatient for the morn, \ , Throws her grey mantle oyer laniTand sea; There comes a call from out life's nether deeps, And lidos, like some old ocean in a swoon, Flow out, in soundless majesty to thee. I would fain quoto two other sonnets, "Autumn" and "Vale and River," as being oxeniplificativo of tho dignified grace of Mr. Ross's muse, but space, limits forbid. A few pages aro filled with some peculiarly charming child verso. "Tho Silly-House," for instance, would liavo done credit to Robert Louis Stevenson or Eugene Fiold, and a prettier fancy than that enshrined in the pleasantly lilting versos, "Tho Moon Child," could not easily bo found.' 1 quote tho first and final verses:— I know a little, woo lagoon, With riishw round it lib a nest That keeps a picture of moon Most every night within its breast: T know wild ducks on it that quack Of shell-fish and of fish with fins, As they slido forward and then buck And leave"'* ripple in their track Like tho light web a sfiider spijm. It seems rjievwitch. that one pliice Just for her queer and only own, A cradle-room for the moon's face, ' When it. is little till it's grown. No wonder that the witch goes mad When any ono shakes up lite weeds, Or does some other thins as bad: Just for her Moon child sho is glad With that lagoon sot round with reeds. Mr. p. R. Bell contributes a highly appreciative and agreeably .written foreword, (frico riot, stated.)