16 NOVEMBER 1945, Page 12

THE MAGNOLIA TREE

I air down a magnolia tree I cut away my life That far-off life that bloomed for me, Some traveller's captured ecstasy From Persia or from Ind, A turban by the Thames, Bright dulband Doffed by my dull mind.

It dropped—

Its dark leaves mourning to the moon Reddened, insensate.

Waxing a hundred years the flowerless lover Under grey skies the bulbul did importune

In vain—

Its ivory petals dropping heavily Noiseless like pearls upon a nautch girl's body.

The heavy clay soaked up my fallen tears, The trunk's white face turned up those dark-rimmed eyes Of India and of Persia : A stranger stretched beside the brimming river Seemed like my soul given to another body.

How came my very self so far away To grow and thus to die By my own hand?

W. J. TURNER.