26 DECEMBER 1952, Page 13

Map Reading

This map, stretched out and definitely shaded Green for the plains and contour-brown each hill, A later colour marks, though summer faded, The summer journey traced, indelible In fluent line, whose dark links way with way, And, scoring valley, suddenly brings back Remembered scent upon the town spent day, Inches to moments turned on deeper track.

Time's distances thus travelled all anew Across the eager pathways of the mind, Afford a phantom progress, speeding soon From staircase, door and pavement, speeding too From body chained, insensate, time confined Beneath the lamp on winter afternoon.

JOHN BRYAN.