17 SEPTEMBER 1954, Page 12

KNOWING AND SAYING

Pathetic Fallacy

And where you walked, the sullen cloud-shelf stooped Down to the water-meadows by your side.

Precarious water delicately roped Lay at your feet and wreathed about your head, All elements fallacious as you wept.

But volatile was not my nature then To keep earth, air, fire, water company.

I brooded with a high and hot disdain Over your head run wild with misery, And could not mix compassion with the rain.

So the wind tore in tatters, and the trees Raged active with the passion I refused: Too late the storm broke on my harsh delays, Too late the sun healed roughly where it blazed, And trickling words slipped out too late to please.

ANTHONY THWATTE