2 OCTOBER 1953, Page 29

Wires

The widest prairies have electric fences, For though old cattle know they must not stray Young steers are always scenting purer water Not here but anywhere. Beyond the wires.

Leads them to blunder up against the wires Whose muscle-shredding violence gives no quarter. Young steers .become old cattle from that day, Electric limits to their widest senses.

PHILIP LARKIN.