THE PIPER

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1019, 9 July 1930, Page 14

THE PIPER

Long ago when the world was young, Under the sky a piper played; Of finest moonshine his coat was spun. And he travelled wherever his swift feet strayed. And the sun and the grass and the great broad sky Would whisper “The piper is passing by.’’ And the trees would hush, and the wind’s song die, To hark to the songs he made. His eyes were the colour of azure skies, Shining and warm with shade and light, And his heart was free with perpetual youth, As he travelled ever by day and night. And he said, “The road is a ribbon grey. Leading and leading me ever away; The green hills call, and I cannot stay; I go my way with delight.” He thought of the way the tall trees grow. Of the ripple and croon of a baby’s mirth; He thought of me way the sweet flowers blow, Of the golden sunlight" which gives them birth; And he bound them up in a little song— The flowers and the birds and the storm-wind strong— To play as he travelled his way along, Over and over the earth. One day the piper went away, But his songs still echoed by day and night; The broad sky heard of the small lost notes, And bent to listen in rapt delight. And it snatched them close to its bosom far; Each crystallised and became a star. And there they hung where they alwaj’s are, Silver and shining at night. Red Star (Jean Mclndoe).