Rabaul

[These verses were on a Christmas Card sent to his friends recently by Mr. E. Skelton-Garton, a well-known poet and writer.] Brooding clouds with gorgon faces, Floating o’er scarred hills of fire; Palms that woo from cool green places Sun and sea with wild desire.

Weird and sweet, the natives’ singing, In the moonlight round the bay; Where the soft white mists are flinging Arms around the mountains grey.

Misty, purple shadows falling On a silent turquoise sea; Night birds from their green-groves calling Quaint sweet love-notes hauntingly.

Beauty heralds in the morning, Beauty claims the mid-day sun, Eve with lilac tints adorning Earth and sky when day is done.

Mystic forms from cloudland drifting Over scenes that charm the soul, Where the sun-kissed clouds are lifting, Tapestries from fair Rabaul.