21 JUNE 1924, Page 16

POETRY,

VENUS.

Is that star dumb, or am I deaf ?

Hour after hour I listen here To catch the lovely music played By Venus down the evening air.

Before the other stars come out:-

Before the Moon is in her place- -I sit and watch those fingers move, And mark the twitching of her face.

Hour after hour I strain my ears For lovely notes that will not come : Is it my mortal flesh that's deaf, Or that long-fingered Star that's dumb ?

W. H. EtAvins, :