Among the carvings
At venerable Wells Cathedral
Stands a novice
The sculptor Antony Gornley (born 1950) has added a new artwork (made of metal) to an empty niche on the west facade of Wells Cathedral in Somerset, England
Walls need not be dull
With decorative plasterwork
They can give joy
Blooms of many hues
Brighten up our daily lives
And nourish the bees
It’s plain to see
The writing on the wall is clear
Heed it very well
The sunflower
Alive or press’d for its fine oil
Provides us much joy
It looks forbidding
The wording is plain and quite clear
Best to keep out.
It slithers and slides
Devouring valued plants:
A slimy intruder
A tin of Ajax
Can scrub away the stains
But memories linger
Mind the adders
One bite by these fine serpents
Could subtract from your life
With wings of colour
A life so very brief
The butterfly takes rest
