11 NOVEMBER 1949, Page 7

The Pond

Below the water in another world Move the swift creatures I delight to see, Tadpole and beetle and the armoured newt ; The sliding weed over the pebble curled, The dappled water under the leaning tree, The shifting soil around the naked root, These and the busy life in that still pool Are framed by nature's plan and governed by her rule.

But on a time the wide and brilliant arc Beyond the changing pattern of branch and cloud Grows for the life below untimely dark ; Incuriously the tadpoles wheel and crowd To seek the light, uncaring that on high A foolish face hangs black against their sky.

KENNETH HOPKINS.