The title of the poem, ‘Farther’, is a play on the word “father” and is about the distance that the two men have to go to resolve all of their problems. Sheers combines the intersection of the ideas of moment and family within this reference. This poem documents the movement over a distance, the two men scaling the hill. Yet, it is one that also explores the connection between father and son. Therefore, by choosing a title that allows for these connotations to spring forth from one word, Sheers effectively summarises the major themes of the poem under one umbrella reference. The line ‘they were told to walk, not to run’ is a comment on the emotional reserve often attributed to British people, particularly of the upper classes. The idea of these brave men being lead into battle by leaders who do not care for their safety becomes key to the meanings of later poems such as ‘Tea with Dr. Hitler’ and ‘Liable to Floods’.

A reference to the myth directly reflects this context: ‘split they say by a father’s grief.’ The ‘loss’ which is alluded to is that of the crucifixion. However, Sheers could also be using this idea to relate to the idea of a father losing touch with his son as he grows up. The boy changing into a man and getting further away from the father. This awkwardness within the father-son relationship is something Sheers tries to overcome within this poem. Unexpected ideas are introduced, notably the casting of the woman as a ‘siren’ in a cage, and the ‘oil-spill’ of her plumage. Both of these are important in their allusion to female treachery. One refers to luring men (and even Sheers) to their deaths. The other is a matching allusion, in terms of the natural world, to entrapping and destroying male birds through the destructive spilt oil. As mentioned above, one option would be to stay at the Skirrid Mountain Inn. However, if you’re not so keen on things that go bump in the night there are plenty of options in nearby Abergavenny. By likening the models to birds and the photographers to a ‘crocodile pit of cameras’, Sheers is increasing the sense of men being a controlling, negative force in the world of women.

St Michael's Chapel". Historic Environment Record (HER). Glamorgan-Gwent Archaeological Trust (GGAT). PRN GGAT01473g . Retrieved 28 June 2016– via archwilio (online database of the four Welsh Archaeological Trusts). {{ cite web}}: External link in |via= ( help) The connection of ‘view’ and ‘you’ through rhyme further the sense of Welsh identity being the only thing holding the two men together. Sheers links his dad directly to nature, echoing the Welsh traditional love for nature. It seems that Sheers finds difficulty getting further than this idea, something which suggests a pessimistic end to the poem.

Owen Sheers has a gift for the epic sweep of narrative and for the lyrical evocation of passing moments.

The title of this poem is a pun on ‘father’. The poem explores the relationship between the poet and his father, and also the nature of generations and family inheritance in the emotional and spiritual sense. Whilst this act is taking place however, the poet is concentrating on the lights that are beginning to be turned off outside the window and seems practically oblivious to the sexual act that is being performed on him.