29 SEPTEMBER 1990, Page 35

Llandudno Seascape, With Figures

A pewter sea. No fishing smacks or sails.

A seafront palm, dishevelled by March gales.

And framed by wintry skies and low-tide sand, In good thick coats, two grey-haired women stand, Braving the wind for snapshots on the prom — One coat Saxe-blue, and one geranium.

Blue holds her brolly up (my, how it blows!) With arm outstretched, mock Mary Poppins pose, Then (look you) does a skittish schoolgirl skip Of unexpected sprightliness, and click, The moment's caught, plus pier and Orme and sea, Dim Parcio and all. They laugh. Now tea.

Burlesque hit off with unselfconscious ease — Two sisters — spinsters — lovers — divorcees? — Without whom I should never have believed How empty seascapes are when unrelieved.

Simon Curtis