Bordeaux Bay

Bordeaux Bay
Bordeaux Bay by Guernsey-based artist Tony Taylor

Thursday 30 July 2015

PICTURE THIS

So, what comes first ... the poem or the image? 
Almost invariably, I'd answer, the poem, and so far as this blog is concerned, images are a postscript, sought and selected to complement the written word.
There are, however, exceptions, and here is one of them.
I found this vintage image and knew immediately that it warranted a poem.
Whether or not this short poem does it justice is for you to decide.
I suspect the shepherd, wherever he may be, will not care a jot.  




















SHEPHERD

He keeps sheep on the high hill,
has two dogs, one young, one old,
hands that look ten years older
than the skin on his white back,
a sharp eye for weather, ear
for harp-wind in the tall trees.

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