We wandered where the tail ferns fringed and filled from bank to bank
The amber-watered, creek, and stooped, Narcissus-like, to wed
Their shadows, and the lillyplllies, berry-laden, drank
The stream, and on the fallen trunks the fungus blossomed red.
We followed from the stagnant creek, by narrow cattle path,
Where scarlet peas and tangled vines their tendrils interlace.
And found the tumbled stones that marked a long-deserted hearth,
A rose tree spread its thorny arms in vacant, sad embrace.
More faithful than the other works that long-stilled hand had raised,
More constant in its long neglect, the rose that lingered there,
And may be lips, and laughing lips, its early bloom had praised,
And one who reeks not now had judged its fragrant burden fair.
The dying splendor of the sky illum'ed the darkened range,
Where rustling spirits of the night among the shadows roam.
We left it with its untold tale, its tragedy of change --
The rose amid the stones that once had borne the name of Home!
First published in The Australian Town and Country Journal, 21 November 1906
Author reference site: Austlit
See also.
The amber-watered, creek, and stooped, Narcissus-like, to wed
Their shadows, and the lillyplllies, berry-laden, drank
The stream, and on the fallen trunks the fungus blossomed red.
We followed from the stagnant creek, by narrow cattle path,
Where scarlet peas and tangled vines their tendrils interlace.
And found the tumbled stones that marked a long-deserted hearth,
A rose tree spread its thorny arms in vacant, sad embrace.
More faithful than the other works that long-stilled hand had raised,
More constant in its long neglect, the rose that lingered there,
And may be lips, and laughing lips, its early bloom had praised,
And one who reeks not now had judged its fragrant burden fair.
The dying splendor of the sky illum'ed the darkened range,
Where rustling spirits of the night among the shadows roam.
We left it with its untold tale, its tragedy of change --
The rose amid the stones that once had borne the name of Home!
First published in The Australian Town and Country Journal, 21 November 1906
Author reference site: Austlit
See also.
