River Nene

This is the fourth in a series of seasonal poems inspired by my local river, The Nene. As I ran along the river bank in this Covid year, 2020, it became clear that although our lives have changed, as we grapple with the affects of the pandemic, Mother Nature is still doing her stuff, and I found this comforting.This

This is the fourth in a series of seasonal poems inspired by my local river, The Nene. As I ran along the river bank, I became aware again of the power Mother Nature has to adapt and restore.

Swans still flock and the terns still swoop,
Bull rushes reach up at the water's edge.
Cows still graze the lush sweet grass
As the leaves yellow in the Autumn light.

Fear grows as a second wave threatens.

But down in the valley...

The river still flows and the fishermen wait,
Boots and shoes pound the Nene Way.
Tractors still plough and gulls follow
As the rosehips glisten in the weak sunlight.

Alarm deepens as the infection spreads.

But down by the river...

Ducklings have grown and signets have whitened,
Dogs off their leads sniff and follow
The well trodden path by the water's edge
And high above a red kite soars.