Original Poetry.

Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 3909, 9 July 1881, Page 1

Original Poetry.

RECOLLECTIONS

In quest of Nature's fair creation, ferns, A group of friends one morn set out Full of life and animation, Gayest hope and expectation, Caring naught for fickle went.her, dimply bent on finding pleasure In the pursuits of the day, From the crowded city took their way To where a foamt rg mountain stream For many miles was se tward flowing j In such a place rare ferns are found, And soon, remote from any sound, Bare insects chirrup 'mong the trees, rJ he waters murmuring on the breeze ; Upward the winding path they trace, Exclaiming oft, " A charming place ! "

And well they might, for surely there Nature seemed fairest of t ie fair, On either side hills towering high Are stretching toward the bright blue sky, Which, flecked by many a fleecy cloud, On (hem seemed smiling fond and proud ; Hills clad from summit to tlieir base With richest foliage, verdant, maze.

Tall forest trees and graceful fern, Whose beauty does not make them spurn Their dark, downtrodden Mother Karth, But aye to her who gave them birth In fond, deep reverence seem to bend And gratitude and shelter blend, Or shadows throw upon the stream, As o'er them plays the sun's bright beam, While o'er its rocky bed beiow The creek still ran with ceaseless flow, Now dashing, flinging high while epray Like the merry, wilful child at play ; Now dark and calm and still, as when Grief lays it's hands on haughty men, Who scorn to let their fellows know How keenly they have felt it's blow.

Our friends now think some time has past Since last they broke their morning fast, And, tarrying for a little while, Take lunch in true bush picnic style, Sitting upon a Mien tree ; They laugh and joke in merrj glee, And evi-n try to imitate The bell-bird calling to its mate.

But even in such Arcadian nooks Old Father Time no loitering brook*, And eooti to business they apply With heart and hand and practised eye ; The kits and baskets (not a few) With moss of many a shade and hue And ferns and lichens fair to see Are packed with care judiciously. ■

When, lo! the stream, much widened here, Impedes their way, the course is clear, No rustic bridge its aid doth lend, So they to circumstances bend ; By gallant hands assisted o'er They strive to reach the further shore On stepping stones, that, safe to view. Like Goodwin ands prove treacherous ten To one poor maid, whose luckless fate I shall endeavour to relate.

Scarce one step from the mosiy bank,' "When slipped her foot and down she Bank, And lowly in the waters bri«ht A moment knelt, while at the sight Amusement spread o'er every face, But; iindncsa quickly took its place, And, thanks to prompt and manly aid, Her rescue was cot long delayed.

The Tuilev now in shadow lay, Our party wend their homeward way. Half sud to think their day must end— Hoping another such they'd spend; All safely reach their homes once more, There laugh and talk their travels o'er, And oft in memory they'll review St. Patrick's Day at Turaru.

Heather Bell Thame*. March 19th, 1881.