IT IS an early October Sunday morning

Sky the deep blue of a desert

But the wind has the chill of autumn.

Cold Knap Lake is now azure

Reflecting the cloudless sky

Yesterday’s rain clouds long disappeared.

Today a bench by the lake is my pew

The message from God...the alluring view

With swans and ducks gliding across

Women with prams and an old lady

In a wheelchair admiring the scene.

It is a perfect place to escape

From the troubles of the world for a while

And on days like this it is paradise.

An aeroplane’s vapour leaves a white scar

But it is transient as we all are

With a young woman retreating into a book

And dogs of all shapes and sizes.

The water is placid and shines

As if erupting with sparklers

Somerset hills, Steep and Flat Holm

Splendid in the bright sunshine.

I know autumn storms are not far away

So savour this beautiful cloudless day.

Guy Fletcher

Pantmawr

Cardiff