22 JULY 1943, Page 9

COASTAL JOURNEY

A WET wind blows the waves across the sunset ; There is no more sea nor sky.

And the train halts where the railway line Twists among the misty shifting sand, Neither land nor estuary, Neither wet nor dry.

In the blue dusk of the empty carriage There is no more here nor there, No more you nor me.

Green like a burning apple The signal hangs in the pines beside the shore

-And shines All Clear.

There is no more night nor evening ; No more now nor then.

There is only us and everywhere and always.

The train moves off again, .

And the sandy pinetrees bend Under the dark green berries of the rain.

NORMAN NICHOLSON.