15 MAY 1947, Page 14

THE HUNDREDFOLD NARCISSUS

SEMBLANCES of dark green narcissus leaves Grow tall about me, tangible to thought, And almost visible to my inward sight.

I know their fresh upsurge and cool delight And sense, in the room around me, vegetation, That inexpressible state of the living thing.

They grow by my stream of life, so cool, so tall, So dark their leaves, with implication of flowers That I can almost inbreathe the hundredfold narcissus.

And I remember Hades and death's rape Of the virgin, running to gather spring To her breasts for ever in unhindered joy.

On treacherous ground we gather the narcissus ; Yet only the pale hermetic void puts forth That hundredfold beauty and pathos of living flowers.

KATHLEEN RAINS.