Such a beautiful landscape at first glance |
The Common Have you ever seen Gelligaer common in summer? It’s not like Barry beach full of chip wrappers and Old ice cream cones pointy bit up in the sand. Somewhere, between this morning and last winter, a pile of old tires have sprung shoots and grown A green grassy mass just left of a ford focus burnt Out after Christmas, and now, rusting prettily Among the ferns. A tent was pitched last night, too close to ours, and the smell of sex and lubricant is still thick In the morning air. We say good morning with a half raised hand As we ram poles back into canvas bags and wonder, will he be back In time for breakfast with his wife and kids? He’s a pro. His mallet has banged a few pegs in its time And the gentle slopes that stretch back toward Bargoed Still play host to his abandoned packs of three, And closer still, towards Dowlais, on the old mountain road, Some girl’s knickers hang from a silver birch like a ceremonial Flag. A triumphant recognition for a sexual conquest. A low wall, perfect for sitting if you mind the needles And the scattered remains of kitchen foil, gives a wide clear view Rugged with hills and steep climbs, rolling downwards and upwards Cwm Bargoed to the Cross, and save an odd crawling car and the blank Staring sheep, there is no one. Have you ever seen Gelligaer common in summer? It’s not like Barry beach, alive somehow still with its tourism. Gelligaer common in summer is much the same as winter Except, its light enough to see the place rotting. |