"MORNING RED."

Taranaki Daily News, 23 February 1917, Page 6

"MORNING RED."

FINE COLLECTION OF VERSE. A fme collection of lyrics and sonnets, written by Mr, D. M. Ross, of Hamilton, has just been published under the title of "Morning Red." Mr. Ross is the author of "The Afterglow," "The Promise of the Star," and "Hearts of the Pure." In his latest publication, tlje author has composed some of his best work, and, almost without exception, the verses come within the definition of true "the concrete and artistic expression of the human mind in emotional and ryhthmical language." There is an absence of local color about the work which adds to rather than detracts from its value. Tlie"first poem, "Morning Red," is a call to arms. The sentiexpressed therein is appropriate to this time of war, when, as the verses set forth, the days of our fit and able manhood shbuld be given to the King. The burden of the poem is contained in the last verse:—

Morning Red! Morning Red! Light yon brazen-spiked Hun's head In the trench with fallen day, So that I may see to slay. One day given to the King, Where the bullets whip and sting, Better is than years of breath Cowards filch from slinking Death. Better than the marriage-bed Is the War Cloud, Morning Red.

Other poets relate to tile war, and in "The Assembly" the writer makes striking referenec to America's attitude:— Great God! And still the Stars and Stripes Hang o'er a face all featureless, A vulture claws the raj* and wipes The oldrtime glory lustreless; And Lincoln groan?, denied his rest, With one more bullet in his breast.

Some of the sonnets reach the highest pitch of poetical excellence, "The Silent Tide" particularly being worthy of a high place in British poetry—

I heard Old Ocean raise her voice and cry, In that still hour between the night and day; \ I saw the answering tides, green-robed and grey, Turn to her with a low contented sigh; Marching with silent feet they passed 'me by, For the white moon had taught them to obey, And scarce a wavelet broke a fretful spray As they went forth to kiss the stooping sky.

So, my heart, when the last sun ray sleeps And the wan night, impatient lor the moon, Throws her grey mantles over land and sea, There comes a call from out Life's nether deeps, And tides, like some old ocean in a swoon,

Flow out, in sandless majesty to thee,

The author has a deep respect for religion and Nature, and the lofty and beautiful language with which he clothes liis thoughts, giving expression to the deeper working of a truly poetic and artistic mind, is at once inspiring and uplifting. Mr. Ross has included a delightful series of verses for his child friends, notable among those being "The Silly House," ''Morning Red," which a foreword by' Mr. C. R. Bell, Tokanini, is dedicated to his Excellency Dr. John Anderson Gilruth, Administrator of the Northern Territory. The verses in the collection delight the ear with music and charm the mind with clear glimpses of poetic pictures. "Morning Red" should find a place on the bookshelf of every lover of poetry, and New Zealanders should be pleased to possess an artist of Mr. lioss' ability.