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the rustle of reeds

narrow boat purrs along country canal

shirring quiet water

rumples flotilla of ducks and black coots

barely missing lazy feet

washes a moor hen into wet roots

wink of red unmistakable

and the reeds whisper

bending trees sough above the bow

that sighs through purling water

 

swallows swoop and soar

dark silhouettes

scything the sky

skimming the water glimmering

faster than  eye can focus

soundless

 

in freshening wind tall grasses sway

toss together dancing

a bird flits swiftly

slight sketch on stalk half seen

and lightly flutes

perhaps not

the rushes drone

like bass viols in busy symphony

as the prow sighs through purling water

 

early evening boat thrums back to pub

glides bubbles grinds bumps

beer chips dogs people

buzz of talk and quick laughter

this is pleasant

but still –

I soar with silent swallows

and  I listen

to the rustle of  reeds

 

 

 

cbt

 

canals

◄ it

Thoughts Coupled ►

Comments

tony sheridan

Sat 12th Jan 2013 10:01

I love the canals and I love this poem! Well done. Take care, Tony.

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Mick Waring

Thu 4th Oct 2012 12:26

... reminds me of a week I spent on a barge on the canals at four miles per hour .. Very Relaxing ....



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Lynn Dye

Mon 6th Aug 2012 22:30

Lovely poem, Cynthia, enjoyed this very much.

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Laura Taylor

Fri 3rd Aug 2012 16:40

ooooooo this is niiiiice :) So good to see you blogging again too Cynth!

Beautiful alliteration and assonance in here, and I thoroughly approve of shirring, rumples flotilla, purling etc

mmMM. A really satisfying read, sonically, and really quite calming :)

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Cynthia Buell Thomas

Thu 2nd Aug 2012 17:08

Encouraged by you, Win, to snapshot a 'canal moment'.

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