Start with an open prospect:

choose your site carefully.

A little poverty is necessary –

use natural materials, though,

no plastic sacking or corrugated iron

but hollow trunks, tumble-down briars,

a weathered stile.

Now bring in various accidents

of weather – loosen stones,

tumble them into irregular masses.

Add Sedum, Sweet William,

pad out your scene with props:

consult field guides for the correct

species. Remember cows

look best in groups of three.

Be true to your season –

a weave of gnats, or a bank of

cumuli add an extra layer of fact.

Try to make it work close up –

distress cob walls,

give gates moss, a little rust to hint

at passing time. Don't forget

the crowning point – draw the eye

with an evening star, a wedge

of geese – I've chosen this

cascade of ivy, gilded each leaf

with long strokes of light.