19 APRIL 1946, Page 9

THE ISOLATED

BY the myth of unique significance Men have become so absorbed That the wisdom of the caterpillar Leaves them undisturbed, And the vast glory of stars Calms neither joy nor grief • Whilst nothing of life or death Can be learnt from a falling leaf ; Even April birdsong Is in vain ; Conversation of running water Holds no meaning for men.

Pattern of owl flight, Stoat's elastic dancing, Vixen's sweet hilarity, Hare's delirious racing Declare the grace of God

Again and again—

Yet swift as light flows the Holy Ghost Through the empty hands of men.

Oh, in what terrible importance Men stand alone!

So blind, they might learn from any mole, So deaf, from any stone.

FRANCES BELLERBY.