(for Cyril Connolly) br br The piers are pummelled by the waves; br In a lonely field the rain br Lashes an abandoned train; br Outlaws fill the mountain caves. br br Fantastic grow the evening gowns; br Agents of the Fisc pursue br Absconding tax-defaulters through br The sewers of provincial towns. br br Private rites of magic send br The temple prostitutes to sleep; br All the literati keep br An imaginary friend. br br Cerebrotonic Cato may br Extol the Ancient Disciplines, br But the muscle-bound Marines br Mutiny for food and pay. br br Caesar's double-bed is warm br As an unimportant clerk br Writes I DO NOT LIKE MY WORK br On a pink official form. br br Unendowed with wealth or pity, br Little birds with scarlet legs, br Sitting on their speckled eggs, br Eye each flu-infected city. br br Altogether elsewhere, vast br Herds of reindeer move across br Miles and miles of golden moss, br Silently and very fast.