The Farmer At the Edge of the World…
He proudly wears a smart, dark waistcoat from which
A chain’s loop droops from his pocketed watch;
A stiffened collar formalises
His Sunday-best white shirt,
Whilst his flat cap softens and familiarises
This farmer, whose moustache looks lively and pert…
The ploughshare is poised to cut, the farmhand is posed,
The horse stands bridled, tarrying to lug;
A single brass emphasises
Its groomed, dark and docile face,
Whilst the onlooker grimaces and sympathises;
Yet the yoke is worn like a heavy necklace, with grace…
Pete Ray
January 2017
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| TREWIDDLE, NEAR ST AUSTELL... |
The image of writer Sarah Vaughan’s great grandfather took my eye mostly because of the elegance of the farmer and the impressive acceptance of the horse.
This image might have been taken before World War 1 and I was stricken by the thought that the steed might have been commandeered by the government for use in the army abroad.
The novel ‘The Farm At the Edge of the World’ took some inspiration from the farmer in the image I understand and I can maybe see why…
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