26 NOVEMBER 1954, Page 24

Myxomatosis

Caught in the centre of a soundless field While hot inexplicable hours go by

What trap is this? How were its teeth concealed? You seem to ask.

I make a brief reply,

Then clean my stick. I'm glad 1 can't explain Just in what jaws you were to suppurate:

You may have thought things would come right again

If you could only keep quite still and wait.

I HILIP LARKIN