On the Straight

On the Straight A stealthy mover on this silent passage Parting the calm with rippled arrow And purring rhythmic chug as friend A distant bird sings a capella Its painted wooden structure fore to aft Sails the straight with house on back As slow as a snail carving watery track And loyal path beside Fresh paint adorns its windowed side By painter’s hand with expertise Of floral motif and patterned line Like oils to canvas With stern to guide it on its way At graceful pace to watch awhile The passing scene to scrutinize Of country and of town Ahead the gates of sturdy lock where calm meets turbulence As the aqueous straight must even up To different level No longer impelled by equine power And rarely used for mainstay trade Just aggregate and people pleasure But highly prized by one and all