27 DECEMBER 1963, Page 19

Surrender

He wept before her face One day in sudden shame; Letting his solitude, His fear, his dry-eyed pride, Slide with the sudden flood That swept his frame the time He wept before her face.

For weeks for years for lives He'd kept indifference up: But now the proud eyes drop, The rigid eyebeams snap, The castle wall js down, The flood has burst the dam That stood between their lives.

What is it shame is at?

Drenching his solitude And solitary pride Twisting his mouth like hate, Thickening his throat, Tearing at his eyes: Shame tastes like happiness.

LAURENCE LERNER