The Thames at low tide
Hammersmith London 1990This sparkling beach of river silt quiet and white
the barge boats sleepy and tilted to rest
a rustic wind that tastes of brine the gannets nag a rebellowing cry
these spoilt natured birds hungrily hover and comb the low tide Thames
Bleached jetsam driftwood , cork, plastic detergent bottles
frayed rope, flotsam, rusted chain green glass
broken smoothed with time treated ,caked in silted London clay
chipped ceramic , porcelain, frayed nylon twine
and rusted green copper hinges here are ideas of Caesars coins
elusive treasures, lost goblets- teasing thoughts of Londinium............
Roman Gallipots and galleys sunk deep in layers asleep beneath the river bed
there is an old and rusted barge an exo-skeleton grown over with watery weeds
scattered with rags and oil cans discarded rusted tools damp straw and flies
The Great Thames , smelly mother
indifferent to Empires Great -vein, mighty sewer
of the city washing away the cities sins
assuming with neglect and time our spoilt oily natures
in a rising of breath and a sighing of fall
singing the metres and moods of history.
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