For History of Geraldine see also
The Town of Geraldine

Geraldine



By Father Fogarty



Is there a better place on Earth
Than stately Geraldine
Where music fills the morning air
From off yon babbling stream.

Is there a fresher air to breathe
Thru' Talbot's forest green
That mingles with scents of flowers
Around sweet Geraldine.

And where do people toil with pride
with heart and soul - unseen
It only happens in this place
That we call Geraldine.

The pioneers who built this town
Somehow they had forseen
This little spot, was Camelot
Still yet, it's Geraldine.

In future years with God's good grace
May all remain serene
This tranquil little haven
We know as Geraldine.

Geraldine



By Boolam Skee, Auckland

With apologies to John O'Brien

The "Tablet" Notes have gone to pot
- Ah, wisha, 'tis a shame.
They're brief and to the point, maybe,
But the ""touch"" is not the same
Since [paper shortage spoiled those gems
Of purest ray serene,
That week by week came from the pen
Of Matt of Geraldine.

Dear Geraldine! we knew you well:
Yes all New Zealand knew
As long as we'd those "Tablet" Notes
We knew you through and through
We rushed the post on "Tablet" Day
To read with interest keen
Each week's report of work and sport
That came from Geraldine.

We learned who'd bought a new prize bull
And who had sold a sow.
And who'd begun to shear his sheep,
And why they'd dosed the cow.
The floods that swept the countryside,
The shortage of benzine -
The very latest always came
From far-off Geraldine.

We saw who'd come on holiday
To fish in trouty streams,
And who's called in to see the Church
(They've got one there it seems)
We drank it all in, word by word,
How much such items mean
There's food for thought in every line
That's sent from Geraldine.

But now the Notes they print, alas,
Are few and far between,
There's space for London, Paris, Rome,
But none for Geraldine.
And deep the "Tablet" Readers' grief
And loud their mournful caoin
Since War's blue pen pencil cramped the style
Of Matt of Geraldine.

Ah, Geraldine, come back again,
Yes, come back "on the air" ,
We want your news, we need your views,
Tosave us from despair.
Let Hitler know you're watching him
(Like ancient Skibereen)
He'll quail before the eagle eye
Of mighty Geraldine

Great Geraldine! we owe you much;
To you we're all in debt,
Your "Tablet" Notes the whole land quotes
- New Zealand won't forget!
One parting favour may we beg
Before you quit the scene
May search in vain - do please explain
JUST WHERE IS GERALDINE?

For History of Geraldine see also
The Town of Geraldine


Writings Poetry