6 OCTOBER 1950, Page 14

NO

A DREAR, wind-weary afternoon,

Drenched with rain was the autumn dir ; As weary, too, though not of the wind, I fell asleep in my chair.

Lost in that slumber I dreamed a dream And out of its strangeness in stealth awoke : No longer alone : though who was near • I opened not eyes to look ; But stayed for a while in half-heavenly joy, Half-earthly grief ; nor moved ;

More conscious, perhaps, than—had she been there—

Of whom, and how much, I loved.

- WALTER DE LA MARL.