I PEER at Frith’s photograph

And although obviously in black and white

It’s clearly a summer scene

A man rows a boat to shore

I wonder what his thoughts were at this times

On a sultry day so long in the past

A stark reminder that nothing can last.

The men and women are overdressed

Adorned with caps and hats as children merrily paddle.

A lady shelters from the sun

Under an umbrella, her dreams long since gone.

Then I imagine I’m on the beach

And the Channel is blue, the vast sand gold

A stranger...amongst people of old.

Guy Fletcher

Pantmawr

Cardiff