21 FEBRUARY 1964, Page 28

Flight in the Dark

Straight forward seemed the only way to go. Skidding and pushing at the glass A blue tit bursting out of night Fought with the treacherous skin of light. Wild with the window that it couldn't pass Its eyes and all its colours were aglow.

Maybe it woke and thought this was sunrise.

Behind it everything was black, A nightmare non-existence; thence Straight forward leapt a ray of sense.

Once launched incapable of turning back Small wit, great panic struck at sun's disguise.

Inside the room what could be done except Turn out the light before the bird Injured its featherweight of brain?

It vanished, no doubt sideways, then.

Too much illumination had obscured The crevice where it settled, safe, and slept.

SYDNEY TREMAYNE