17 FEBRUARY 1950, Page 14

New Year : Old Japan

THE boats are resting along the shore,

There's not one fisherman on the beach.

The sea flows quietly ; quietly pour

Pale, sunlights out of the clouds. On each

Unpainted boat as dumpy and crude As some rival of Noah's work, this day See the boughs of the pine, and the dish of food

For the sea-ghosts who may walk this way.

Being not forgotten, ghosts, do not forget The industrious servants of hook and net.

EDMUND BLUNDEN.