Poetry

Waikato Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2304, 16 April 1887, Page 1 (Supplement)

Poetry

A FEBRUARY SMILE. Across the hills the drifting snow-cloud speeds, And soft warm flakes fall on the frozen ground ; Anon fierce winds pass o'er with sullen sound, And whirl the snow on high in glittering beads, And then the west winds, tender with good deeds, Touches the streams* great storehouses, and rills Laugh downward to the plains, till 'neath the hills A waking river warbles 'mongst its reeds. So wakes the God-gift Conscience in a man ! Oft through a dreary winter of his life It sleeps frost-bound —dead for a little span ; , , Then roused by sleet of sorrow and by strife . j t Of varying winds of anguish and or pain. , , It leaps to fulness of spring strength v again . „ —George Weatherly, in "The Quiver. LITTLE CHILDREN. Little children you have eyes. Have you ever watched the skies ? Seen the sun in glory rise. Little child 1 Have you seen a sunlit ray. Shining on a sparkling spray, Dazzling in its colours gay, Little children ? Have yon clapped your hands for glee, Tried to catch the ray to see If it would' a playmate be, Little children ? But a cloud has come so fast, And the ray is overcast, Beauty like this cannot last, Little children ! For life cannot all be play, Soon will come a sadder day. Help to cheer all on their way, Little children! LOYE'S WARNING. Hail me King! My sway, world-wel-comed, Owns no bound. Every hour new realms annexes, Wheresoe'er are Time and sexes, I am crowned ! Potent I to knit or sunder— Task abhorrent! Bend the elements at pleasure — Force the earth disgorge her treasure — Chain the torrent ! I mould passions. Passions ever Actions move; Mine their glory then—to soften Adamantine laws—men often Die for Love ! Yet I grieve. Oft Gold mine empire Dares defy ; Truth and Nature droop 'neath " Culture '' — If they fall, at their sepulture Love will die! —Douglas Adam. „ AT MIDNIGHT. The room is cold and dark to-night— The fire is low; Why come you, you who love the light, To mock me so? I pray you leave me now alone; You worked your will, And turned my heart to frozen stone ; Why haunt me still ? I got me to this empty place ; I shut the door ; Yot through the dark I see your face Just as of yore. The old smile curves your lips to-night, Your deep eyes glow With that old gleam that made them bright So long ago. I listen—do I hear your tongue The silence thrill ? Why come you ? I would be alone; Why vex me still 1 What! Would you that we re-embrace — We two once more ? Are these your tears that wet my faco Just as before? You left'to seek some new delight, Yet your tears flow ; What sorrow brings you back to-night ? Shall I not know ? I will not let you grieve alone— The night is chillThough love is dead and hope has flown Pity lives still. How silent is the empty space ! Dreamed I once more ? Henceforth against your haunting face I bar the door. —Harper's Magazine.