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May Walking the Canal

along the toll path, worn by footfall, 
I walk as a water colourist
tracing the canal's hidden track, 

hewn blocks are daubed, 
washed by mildew green 
silver weals etched like faded liver spots
on its pock marked granite face. 

The shore's serrated edges
leach into reed beds
when a heron on stilts
swivels in still-life freezes

stranded 
where he brushes
elbowing bullrushes 
bleeding corn-yellow rustlings
with stone grey-blue ripples 

straw stiff legs 
poke through marshiness
bubbling micro bubbles
splattering in varnished water

poses in profile taking a selfie
on the lake's mirrored lens
piercing light with inked beak

I dismember my easel's gauky frame
flinging over stiff shoulder straps
bending sharp wooden joints 
as the heron cranks its kite like wings
pummelling the air with its tints of blue
cutting the sky like a palette knife

Copyright © | Year Posted 2019




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Date: 5/5/2019 3:03:00 AM
I sometimes do that. Go for walks with my artists tools (pen, paper, imagination) and just take in all that is there, all that is alive and beautiful. Lovely poem.
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Duffield Avatar
Brian Duffield
Date: 5/5/2019 4:28:00 AM
Thank you for your response. Yes the canal is a fantastic escape into the countryside

Book: Reflection on the Important Things