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The New Zealand Railways Magazine, Volume 12, Issue 6 (September 1, 1937.)

Pioneer

Pioneer.

Here, where the mighty winds go up
The wooded peaks that cleave the
sky;
Here, round heart's home, shall blow
the dust,
Return the spirit that was I.
Below, the white road winds away,
Through fields I knew as bracken
waste.
These hands hewed out a narrow track,
Where gleaming cars persuade man's
haste.
The toil was mine, the blood and
sweat,
That gave my sons rich heritage,
But, being human, they forget,
Before Time's hand has turned the
page.
Oh, earth was good and life ran high—
(Oh, strong and bitter-sweet!)
Earth back to earth my dust must lie,
To make a pathway for your feet.
I am not bitter at this last—
I, who loved every stick and stone
Of this, my land. Man comes to earth,
And lives, and leaves it, still alone.
His dust the cradle for his seed,
His life and love the torch and flame
That shall inspire, by thought and
deed,
His sons to follow down the same.
Uncharted ways, and leave their dust
Rich on the land. Oh, strong and
sweet
Life runs for him who holds in trust
New lands to tame for unborn feet.

The above two poems were awarded the 2nd and 3rd prizes respectively, in the recent competition announced over 1ZB.—[Ed.].

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