R.S Thomas was a Welsh poet and Anglican priest who has a strong dislike of the manner in which Wales had been anglicised. It is often the destiny of smaller nations that are consumed or are in the thrall of larger states to suffer such a fate, though the Welsh have fought back with attempts to preserve their language and cultural heritage.

It is not Thomas's nationalism that I want to salute today, but his capacity as a poet to observe and capture the moment, splendidly. This one is about autumn and while it is spring here, the theme of recollection is universal.

A Day in Autumn

It will not always be like this,

The air windless, a few last

Last leaves adding their decoration

To the trees shoulders, braiding the cuffs

Of the boughs with gold; a bird preening

In the lawn's mirror. Having looked up

From the day's chores, pause a minute,

Let the mind take its photograph

Of the bright scene, something to wear

Against the heart in the long cold.