14 OCTOBER 1949, Page 9

From a Study Table

Wave at my window, my green friends, Sweet summer leaves till night descends.

Refresh my eyes, release my thought, That moils here like an insect caught.

For you can dance and you can play With every breeze that comes this way ; For you can meet the lightest air That passes—then what grace is there The sunlight through the shroud arrives, The diamond sunbeam, it revives, And you, good leaves, as soon reply And wed the sunshine. The wise fly Comes then and lodges on your breast, And leaf and light rejoice the guest.

Of nature I know less and less, But green leaves sometimes let mc guess.

EDMUND BLUNDEN.