21 MAY 1948, Page 13

POEM I WATCHED where the tall trees shook At the

shock of the wind.

Whenever the gales came I made my way to the blind, High trees, and watched them shake With only their roots for check.

On a day of hollow darkness, Like a globe that resounded With a trapped gale That leapt and rebounded I found you beside me, Rare and desperate

And your eyes were wet And your face was as still As the body of a leveret On a tranced hill—

But my eyes belied me— And you were not there: Only the trees shook. Only their boughs brace. MERVYN PEAKS.