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Poetry

THE SUSPENSION BKIDGE.

Look up in tho ckmds at your ponderous , thing's That seems to stretch over the sky like a band — As strong as tho rocks from which it cloth swing, Or the buttress it rests on, like chains in a hand. View it close, and it seems what it is, a hush span Of almost unbreakable iron, lung ana straight. ; Then from afar let your vision it scan And it seems like soft laws, which would bend with least weight. I passed o'er the bridge, with the winds blowing high And the storm raging fierce, and they caused it to rock Like a hammock; the elements seemed all to try. ' If they with joint efforts the chains could unlock : But the bridge, all the efforts of stormclouds defied, Though the winds in their fury had caused it to shake, Stood fast in its hold in tho rocks on each side. For Strength was its name, it might bend, but ne'er break. I passed o'er the bridge in the darkness of night, When the heavens were gloomy, and light there was none, When a figure rushed past me as swift as the light, And it cried as it passed " I'm undone ! I'm undone !" I followed tho figure but nothing could Then a'shnek struck my ear, but nought reached my sight, And I shudder at that winch I guessed it to be : . Tor Despair was the name ef the bridge on that morn. I passed o'er the bridge one morning in May, , . . ~ . The swallows were chirping their song overhead ; Two lovers were crossing the bridge, on their way To the green woods beyond it,—at least, so they said : For as I came near them 1 hear them converse Of what they should do, and had done trom the dawn, And each, tender words in Love's ear did rehearse And Love was tho name of the bridge on that morn. I have crossed and reerosseel it again and again, It has served as a passage for good and tor bad, , . For sorrow, for love, for despair, and for Tor hope and for fear, for the gloomy and sad. Whatever befalls, be it blessing or ill. Let our hearts be united in deeds and in words . Like these husre chains of iron, wrought with strength and with skill, Which bind rock to rock with unbreakable cords. Arthur J. Barker. MY OWN DEAR WIFE. I married you, wife, in the spring;of life, We have fought the world together ; Sometimes it was ail an up-hill road, , And gloomy, stormy weather, Dear wife, Gloomy and stormy weather. But ever your hand in mine I found, With sweet and strong endeavour : A step at a time, a step at a time, B-.t onward, onward ever, Dear wife, 'Tvvas onward, onward ever. So in the prime of my life I stood With wealth and an upright name ; And felt I could grasp with worthy hand The blessings and power of fame. Dear wife, The blessings of power and fame. And now when I gather the fruits of life, And stand where I longed to stand, I never forget a moment, dear, What you were to my heart and hand, Sweet wife, To my head, and heart, and nand. You never failed me at any time, Then how could I be untrue ? The gold we made, the honour and farr.e Are they not all for you. Sweet wife, Are they not all for you ? Dearest! you never were half so dear, Nor half so fair in tho past, Whatever betide, be sure you'll be First love of my heart and last, Sweet wife, First love of my heart and last. Lillie E. Barr.

Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WT18870205.2.31.2

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

Waikato Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2274, 5 February 1887, Page 1 (Supplement)

Word count
Tapeke kupu
616

Poetry Waikato Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2274, 5 February 1887, Page 1 (Supplement)

Poetry Waikato Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2274, 5 February 1887, Page 1 (Supplement)

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