16 JANUARY 1932, Page 14

Poetry

Flare

OUT of our bonfire on the snow were hurled Fantastic yellow flames on Alpine crags, For all distorted was our twilight world ; And antlers of ten thousand demon stags About the screening walls were shadow-swirled. Grimacing then, like devildom in rags,

Charred hollow papers on their tails were twirled,

And aweful whiteness golfed their last of flags. And as the flare collapsed, I sighed for those Who make a firework of the heart in vain, Scorning the wisdom which slow years dispose, To blaze the brilliant evils of the brain In antic fury, while as calm as snows

Beauty and Truth immortally remain.

GEOTFREY JOIIES024.