Presents a bleaker picture of Welsh culture, recurring image of the flag comes to represent the failings of Wales.
"our flag"
Opening of the poem - more optimistic. Collective pronoun creates a sense of collective pride, which quickly diminishes.
"hung like wet washing"
Lack of energy or pride, reflected in the title with lack of preposition - just "flag". "Wet washing" - lack of dignity. Tarnishes any greatness associated with the flag.
"throwing fits"
Presented as sick - the country is poisoned and suffering.
Semantics of illness used to represent the deterioration of Wales, a culture which is no longer celebratory but suffering.
"the beast of it struggling to exist"
Reference to the dragon as a symbol of Wales, emphasises economic difficulties of the country.
"A tourniquet, a bandage tight on the wound"
Final stanza elevates semantics of sickness, poem ends on a mournful note - Wales as a dying country, it has bled.
"a strange flower that flourishes best in the barest of places"
Only hope for the country is in nature, Sheers is commenting on the fact that Welsh culture is found best in the natural world. The failings of Industrial Wales represented through the bleak images running through the poem
