FROM THE TENT DOOR.

Otago Witness, Issue 2817, 11 March 1908, Page 70

FROM THE TENT DOOR.

Within tbe compass of the camp-fire's blaze. Towering, cathedral-like, in the dam light, Massive and still beneath the silent stare, With toro-toro twined, the sentinel pineß Prolong the streamlet's sound. The morepork there Hath darksome haunt and weirdly calls again To th© echoing hilkide. Now 'tis stilly, «ftv« ' For the light breeze in the upper foliage, The water gurgling round the mossy stones. And once again tbe morepork's eerie call. The camp-fire nickers low* fades out, ana leavesA glowing mass of embers on the ground, And the faint-seen stems* of fern-trees, fronded round . With delicate ferna, lichens, and mosses, fain To beautify lone Nature's least recess. The glowing embers pale to ashen grey, Darkness intrude* beneath the Jowly fly ; Only the wan «tar» peering through the pines Whisper of light and beauty otherwhere, And it is night beneath the sable trees! Dearest, at such a time my thoughts to thee And our eweet babies turn, and on my lips The prayer doth falter that the long day through Hath kin upon my heart. Will Love's warm fire Fail as the camp-fire fails, and the lon« aisles, Tenantleaa save for distant eerie calls, Await the spirits who bave yearned and toiled And prayed for better things. How can I ask •■ " ... "When to my lowly couch with inspiration Thou comest in the stilly hours of sleep, And morn iB beautiful because of thee, Nearer and sweeter for the night o'-erpaat, ' And our dear babies waiting my return. _ The camp-fire flickers once again, and gives A passing glory to the massive pines, Then darkness on the silent forest falls. —Charles Oscxb. Pauies* Rangihaeata,