27 NOVEMBER 1953, Page 18

Cri de Coeur

Poet wishes to contact another for mutual encouragement.—Advt. in the Spectator.

Thank you for liking my play.—Lamb to Wordsworth.

I'm a lonely little poet Writing in a void.

Editors don't seem to know it But this lonely little poet 's almost unemployed.

No one wants to read my sonnet. Shall I shut up shop?

Though I spend my heart upon it No one wants to read my sonnet. Just another flop!

How delightful if another Poet I could find Who would hail me as a brother, Comfort me like any mother And reciprocally smother Me with praises blind.

0 what balm, when (Critics, stow it!) I propound my view.

"You're a genius, sir, I know it." And he answers, "Fellow poet, "You're a genius too."

M. STANIER