SMALL CONTINENTS; BREAKER BAY
T? me they were as continents, these greywacke rocks, Rooted and firm in the dizzying swing of the universe, Firm after the swift flight over shingle, over tins, over bottles (Light-splitting glint.on their cruel edges) firm against sea-spray, And the loud tides lashing and sucking the narrow channels. But when I had watched a little, sitting upon their vigorous And uptilted coping, I knew they. were not grand, nor spreading, Not continents, not even islands, only a small and delightful Perch where the wind blew, and the sun shone, and I could be happy. Because I remembered that there was a painter who knew these racks, Intimately and with affection, spreading upon the quiet canvas Colour and line and robust enjoyment, painting the essence of happiness As well as the essence of rocks. He also, 1 thought, has paused Watching beside their small summits, absorbing a little Of their tranquil and innocent strength. So shall Il gather Out of his understanding a small content, untroubled hourNot giving, not doing, not attending or working to routine, Only beholding, with satisfactory astonishment, that this portion Ot rock, and sea, and sun, and high wind blowing, is as I thought In my dreams that it might be, but till now had not been certain.
Ishbel
Veitch
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/periodicals/NZLIST19550304.2.39
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New Zealand Listener, Volume 32, Issue 814, 4 March 1955, Page 18
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217SMALL CONTINENTS; BREAKER BAY New Zealand Listener, Volume 32, Issue 814, 4 March 1955, Page 18
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Copyright in the work University Entrance by Janet Frame (credited as J.F., 22 March 1946, page 18), is owned by the Janet Frame Literary Trust. The National Library has been granted permission to digitise this article and make it available online as part of this digitised version of the New Zealand Listener. You can search, browse, and print this article for research and personal study only. Permission must be obtained from the Janet Frame Literary Trust for any other use.
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