16 SEPTEMBER 1966, Page 22

Roots

He left the circus, settled in Coleraine, Wild, stylish, garrulous, uneducated, And met this lovely Presbyterian Whose face he worshipped, and whose views he hated.

She came from Clabbfin Tyrone, one spring, Her body in drab clothes, her lips held tight (Though one quick smile a year told everything). He made her mad with joy; that wasn't right. Her soul was lost, though marriage saved her honour: The child was a sweet demon, she could see Its waywardness must be a judgment on her: Their love was wanton, and their child would be. She was, she brought ME home, Christ what a row!

'That bearded freak' I heard the mother cry.

We married though, and live in Queensland now, As free as if we'd dropped here from the sky.

JAMES SIMMONS