Poem in memory of Mr Kraus

by Sr Loyola Galvin

This poem was written by Sr Loyola on the death of Mr Kraus who had been a wonderful benefactor from the time of Suzanne Aubert.

Pohutukawas sombre stand, dripping their scarlet tears –
The hands that planted you are stilled -
His vision down the years – of plan and toil and sweat and love –
Is here – in stone and grove.
His heart encompassed children’s joy –
They swim in sundrenched pools – an imaged angel watching –
He placed it there. His tools lay idle now,
His strong gnarled hands – will turn those valves no more
But brimming tides of prayer bear him
Onward – to Heavenly shore.
No clang of spade on rock resounds – mute do the waters fall –
But to my list’ning heart a voice – clarion clear – the call –
That rises over engine’s roar – as tiptrucks breast the hill –
“Back up here boy – Now hold it – Whoa –Right – Let her go – Good fill!”
He is not gone from contoured bank –
From grottoed cave above – where Mary keeps high sentinel,
Witness to faith and love –
That drove him on to fashion paths – upward – to highest peaks.
We walk them still, with kindled hearts –
Glowing – his spirit speaks –
To lives-earth faced, rockbound – "Be freed, Horizons open wide –"
His message, Transformation - , Etched on our bleak hillside.