Hard to believe
facts are visible things
of no serious use
spilling their guts
to anyone who can open a book
they have to tell you something
unable to empathise
facts
do not bring the invisible into play
but abandon their dignity
and show you everything
imagination
was a good days work
when with a full stomach
we first looked into the fire
and fancied
we saw more than was there
but facts
are there for all to see
that is why
they are hard to believe
Gareth Writer-Davies was shortlisted for Bridport Prize and the Erbacce Prize in 2014, Highly Commended, Geoff Stevens Memorial Prize in 2012 and 2013. His pamphlet Bodies will be published by Indigo Dreams in 2015.