THE ROAD THESE TIMES MUST TAKE
Yes, why do we all, seeing a communist, feel small? That small
Catspaw ruffles our calm-how comes it? That touch of storm
Brewing, shivers the torches even in this vault? And the sh:tme
Unsettles a high esteem? Here it is. There fall
From him shadows of what he is building bold and tall-
For his sun has barely mastered the misted horizon-they seem.
Indeed he casts a shadow, as among the dead will some
Living one.
It
is the future walking to meet us all.
Mark him. He is only what we are, mortal. Yet from the night
Of history, where we lie dreaming still, he is wide awake:
Weak, liable to ill luck-yet rock where we are slight
Eddies, and amid us islands the spring tide beginning to made.
Mark him, workers, and all who wish the world anght-
He is what your sons will be, the road these times must take.
c.
DAY LEWIS
SPEAKING CONCRETELY:
A REPLY
to
C. DAY LEWIS
There's a road building that these times will take,
You and I build. But all hell's length to go
If
you and I are separable so--
Water from rock. No: Everyman's fingers, we slakt!
Hot lime with water, to bind rock; we make
Concrete for path, bridge-pier, revetment; grinding
Rubble, stone, sand; with steel inforcement designing
These strengths into solid no black frost can break.
Marx for your map, Lenin theodolite--
This is a thing Smolny's· October shewed-–
Crag-contour pioneered, valley and peak's height
Known: all is ready? No, steel wire must be
Inseparable from concrete, you from me,
We from the durable millions. Then there's a road!
T. H.
WINTRINGHAM
37
