I have not shared one of Dr. E.E. Murphey's poems with you for some time, here goes.

WINGS AT DUSK

Walking at twilight through the claustral pines I glimpsed far down the path a flash of wings- Great wings, too distant and too dim to name Presaging death to some small woodland thing. I have known Death for many weary years: Three times he came and peered into my face, Each time I said "Old man, not yet, not yet." I have fought Death through many weary nights Striving with all I had of heart or brain To bar him from the threshold of a friend; But barred, He only waited for the time When neither love nor leech-craft could avail. But worst of allit is to see him come In unrelenting slow processional The while his consious cowering victim waits Like one who listens for the hangman's tread. So, now, it is my prayer for those I love That He may come as might some monstrous bird Sudden and swift and sure-a flash of wings Against the dusk. Then stillness and the night.

Dr. E.E. Murphey, WINGS AT DUSK, Longmans, 1939

You may be interested, the copy I have was that of Earle Green, inscribed to him by Dr. Murphey.

Cheers Bob Humphries