5 JUNE 1993, Page 34

The Poet

Anxious, unsociable, uninteresting (Despite what others tell me), I confess Of all I've known there's only the one thing Vindicates me, and that is to express Something I'd never hoped to think or say, And manage it superlatively well.

What good is that? No one shall turn away From it, I think, and ever be the same.

The thing's not said to control men, for fame, Or for self-love — although when I excel In saying it, there's always huge relief, As though I felt an undeniable, Further atom of truth help build belief.

And yet it's true, belief goes on to die, Assisted most by such engaged as I.

David Galler