'TALBINGO RIVER'—as one says of bones: br 'Captain' or 'Commodore' that smelt gunpowder br In old engagements no one quite believes br Or understands. Talbingo had its blood br As they did, ran with waters huge and clear br Lopping down mountains, br Turning crags to banks. br Now it's a sort of aching valley, br Basalt shaggy with scales, br A funnel of tobacco-coloured clay, br Smoulders of puffed earth br And pebbles and shell-bodied flies br And water thickening to stone in pocks. br That's what we're like out here, br Beds of dried-up passions.