Original Poetry.

Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 4054, 24 December 1881, Page 1

Original Poetry.

THE OHIO CREEK.

A Bbvirii.

Along the stream we took our way,:; Where hidden deep in shadow lay The graceful nikau and the fern, Their branches reaching oWthe'bmrn. Traces of reoent storm and flood, ■'

In bridges broken, holes of nod, " ' '■'<- Are noticed; and the trtrelUr fiodf, Crossings of strange artistic kinds. Ceaseless for ages has this brook Ran rippling on, round carve wad crook; Cutting away, Jby gentle shock, '•,. - i Its devious path thro*, hardest rock. . Perehanee in the far distant past, ■ , ■ ■ Bone Maori warrior's home was east •'- Amid these bill, and on this shore Found his supply of fern roots store. • Half hidden from the Sun's fierce heat Is many a cool moss*covered. seat, Where weary tourists for a while May rest, in most luxurious style; And contemplate the scenery round, ' Tree, rock, and bill, with fern-clad ground. Pleasast it is at such a time, Attentive listening to the rhyme - Of Nature's mnsic all around ; The whispering breexe, and brook's^ low ■ound, Where flowing o'er it* pebbly bed, While birds are warbling overhead. Like rift in cloud on Winter's day Gleam thro' the trees the Sun's bright ray, Casting on brook a burnished sheen,. And tinting' leaves with various green. ' Dreamily pass the hours while thus, Far from the world's turmoil and fuss, -

We drink in beauty, nor regret That we with solitude bare met. Health gain* improvement, and (be life More vigorous grows more fit for strife, By sometimes stopping in the race, And letting youth her step retrace. ' * Awhile forgetting busy care, The workshop desk, the office stair, And school-room.close confinement leave, • GHad to escape, pare air,to breathe., - k And should the thoughts in fancy stray To other scenes now far away, To earlier days of life gone by, ; And other forms that low now He. ' Still such remembrance shall notoheok^ Our. day's enjoyment, for there.yet Remtini the fact,'that bw'all"' '' l. The course of life; its rise and fall, God rules supreme'; this thought shall cheer Our days, while still continuing here; Guiding with tendereit lore pur way, Though oft forgetful we maj/stray; Thoughts now arise that here perchance Lies bidden treasure, which the adrance Of science shall unearth, and then Will busy clouds explore~this glf n, Of wealth oft searched for here before. And changing Nature's beauteous face In one of profit, not of grace.. Here at Ihe hardy miner's word,' May stampers music yet be beard, And cottage neat, with garden ground, Be seen on many a rising mound. Such be the future, but to-day The hills in freshest verdure lay, t - • Unsullied by the hand of man, And tree clad far as eye oan bcb.d. But now wild fancy draw.tby ran, ../.-; Nor needlessly prolong the strain Of melancholy musing. . . '.

Thames, November 30th, 1881. .