Lens on the Landscape

there was a time
when a camera
set upon a tripod

was sufficient to attract a small crowd

the men from the television
and the pretty girl who took notes
stared at the sky
like astronomers

then had a smoke

when the sun came out
the lens moved slowly
across the mountains and lake

then they packed up
disappeared over Pen y Garn
taking the weather with them

that night
we were there on the television
in black and white

a voice
telling us all there was to know about sheep

we took this as Gospel
relished the day that the stars had come to our village

thereafter
and by the grace of God
the grass was a remarkable shade of green

Gareth Writer-Davies was shortlisted for the Bridport Prize and the Erbacce Prize in 2014, Highly Commended, Geoff Stevens Memorial Prize in 2012 and 2013. He is having his pamphlet “Bodies” published by Indigo Dreams in 2015.