Retrospect on July Day, 1939

by Edward Keyes

After 10 mile cycle ride
relief to sprawl in the long grass.
Light wind stirring the heather
  sun, shadow and stillness.

Reading forgotten utopia
Hudson's "Crystal Age",
ordered, passionless world.
Last Oxford term behind me
  war clouds looming ahead.

Flux and transition threatening
steady expanding years.
Yet here book and scene conspire
To capture hour outside time,
  etched on the memory.