2 OCTOBER 1964, Page 32

The Child Walks Around Its Own Grave

The child walks around its own grave.

He's surprised to see his own body Laid out, several feet below ground level.

One of its hands begins to spread out of fear's grip.

He's afraid. Strange that any life should have been left At all, after so long. That whole body had grown numb For so long, that the pain, when first felt, Had been almost more than he (or it) could bear To rest in death can be protective.

He'd sheltered in his own dead body For over eighteen years. The child's cries, in that time, Had hardly been heard. Now he's overwhelmed by the noise.

JOHN BORDER