19 AUGUST 1966, Page 18

Fishing Season

To catch a fish in boyhood Was thrill indeed, Trout or dab or salmon peel, Or any breed Except the greedy eel Swallowing hook and line: How many a hook was lost To repulsive slime Knotting round hand and wrist In convulsive fight to escape To instinctive life!

Boys' fishing season here : Their fervent eyes With worm and minnow woo The fugitive prize.

I watch their sport, but not To long for youth again : Once is enough to burn Its feverish heart, and once Death's cold competitive pain.

DAVID BATI3MAN