Soft blows the Heaven's whispering wind Saying nothing yet still something's heard -Like notes of a once -elusive Spring Warbled by Winter's solitary bird.
And sudden my mind in gay abandon Trolls the paths of a distant day When twice five years -not a moment more Innocent upon these shoulders lay.
There was, then, a summer's place Daintily nestled upon a hill Where many an hour of pensive thought I'd spent in silence warm and still.
And nights hazy mists remember Dwelt on street lights dim and low With old men safely picking steps Along gently sloping roads below .
Silent tiptoed the nightly rain On sloping roofs and tender eaves Entranced I'd see the pine trees sway Sigh to their moist rustling leaves
I was fashioned ,to me unknown By Grandfather -stern and tall Whose tales of ghosts and djins that walked Would hold my nightly hours in thrall..
In a verandah bare of face That gazed upon a leafy vale Of bards and poets and heroes brave He told me many a moving tale.
Shadows danced on mountain paths That wandered lost into the glade Where nestling pines defying the sun Cast a softly scented shade.
We knew along those winding trails Many spots , most quaint and small Where from the bustling crowds we'd flee That thronged the town's central Mall.
The summer days were mostly warm But sudden the thunder darkly rolled Shivering along those neon lit streets Stood silent doorways wet and cold.
And when the summer skies were spent And lightning's flash no longer flared Like mushrooms from the forest floor The windows popped and people stared.
Prudence sought a moment's stay But with that evening's siren call None waited for the roads to dry It brought the crowds onto the Mall.
Many spirits of past generations Daily meandered thru' the town And people dressed in Sunday best Traversed that road up and down.
They came to see and to be seen Boys and girls- the young and old The warmth from seeking eyes dispelled The damp and sometimes chilling cold.
When the shops had shuttered down The dark bade 'night to man and beast The music played in private rooms Of friends gather'd to dance and feast.
Lightheaded from the evening spent Before the first light of the morn We'd sing to all those silenced streets And await the breaking of the dawn.
Dreams oft born of that haze Left many cheeks a blushing red Hands were held, some glances shared Some words were heard without being said.
Oft the highpoint of those months Came when Auckland's fete was laid With rosy cheeks in neat discipline Stood girls in brown and yellow plaid.
Many a smoothened cheek that day Was with fragrant cologne splashed Many a heart that day was captured Many a hope that day was dashed.
Many an hour was later spent Designing chances again to meet Many a tongue learned by rote Words a chosen one to greet.
Another place no less famous Lay some distance from the Mall Whose quiet greys with hints of red Adorned the girls of Tarahall.
Just glimpsed faces ,names unknown Drove the boys to patient wait Roads that somehow chanced to pass By Auckland's or Loretto's gate.
Many a summer there was spent Away from cares of school and books Many a moment cherished still- Stolen touches in secluded nooks.
I grew to manhood in that town Of carefree summers bright and free It's many summers since last I went Its people and its sights to see.
The ghosts I left still roam the hills Some wizened -others grey but well They search another lad of ten Their spells to cast -their tales to tell