28 JULY 1967, Page 17

A failed poet

GORDON SYMES

A failed poet I know Ventured (less than all), Thought (more than he could w rite), Suffered (not beyond recall).

Talked when it mattered least. Left at the staying point.

Decided to go for a drink While the iron was getting hot.

Silently endured truth-ache When it would have been better out. Serving not even himself By continuing to stand and wait.

Choosing in a hurry to plunge When the wrong moment came. Found it had been done before. ( But can two poems be the same?) Kept charming his friends to believe In apparatus they wanted to see. Would travel far too light If he ever went on that journey, Bounding over strange land Making no imprint at all With the light weight in his pouch, Like a pretty marsupial.