25 JULY 1931, Page 11

Poetry

Not By The Shore

NoT by the shore does love or beauty lie.

And hearts must fail which look for shells and bright things With cheated eyes and hands that have been duped once, Stooping to pick through the whirled sand.

Yet this a proud thing, if, when all truth fails, We walk still stately with an eye unmoved, Finding, perhaps, where the bay is smudged with ships.

A sail, grey, sad, but half in sun.

So beautiful it were to gather way, With even pacings, a smile upon your lips, Not sad, nor bitter, nor exalted, looking Backward into the yellow sun.

LYLE DONAGHY.