Notes About The Poem

Estuary published: 28th April 2022

Image: Gordon Johnson from Pixabay

Aqueduct was originally written in 2021 and republished here in January 2025


Two Short Poems About Death


Estuary
the strong tide greets the sheltered stream where life's hereafter dares to dream a place where screeching, circling birds fall silent to breath’s final words where memories once formed on land are carried by the shifting sand to where the river meets the sea and on then to eternity.
Aqueduct
where ten arches span time across the Ceiriog Valley sheep lie in green pastures beneath a Welsh / English sky as narrowboats above steer the canal of Llangollen through shadows of high summer’s still quiet waters by.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2022

Poem

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Radice Avatar
January 26, 2025 at 1:42 AM
I originally wrote Aqueduct as a stand alone poem in 2021 (republished and added here in 2025) on a day my wife and I walked the beautiful Chirk aqueduct that borders Wales and England. Around the same time I had learnt that a friend who I had lost touch with over the years had sadly died from Covid. The poem is basically a description of the land’s beauty intertwined with a few words and ideas from ‘The Lord's My Shepherd’ - a Christian hymn based on a psalm sung at funerals. I'll add that I also likened a slow moving narrowboat crossing the border along the aqueduct that day to that of a coffin slowly crossing from this world to another. Cheers - Gary
Watt Avatar
September 2, 2022 at 11:58 PM
Dying has often been referred to as crossing the river to the other side or sailing off into the sunset. Water seems to be a very natural image for the passage into the next realm. You have suffused your vignette with such a peaceful vibe: the circling birds; the sheltered stream; the shifting sands. I really appreciate the sense of calm in this, and the feeling that dying is as natural and tranquil as a river meeting the ocean. Love the line "where life's hereafter dares to dream". Inspired writing, my friend. Thanks for sharing this gem. Cheers ~ John
Watt Avatar
September 6, 2022 at 9:55 AM
I agree, such a great word. We could rename one of the months "Estuary" (January, February... )
Radice Avatar
September 3, 2022 at 3:51 AM
Thank you for reading it John and commenting in your usual brilliant style. Estuary is one of those words I like; the word itself gave rise to this poem. :) Cheers - Gary
Cohen Avatar
June 7, 2022 at 6:16 PM
A real gem. So much from so few words. The last two lines especially moving. Also love the flow (did not mean that as a pun).
Radice Avatar
June 15, 2022 at 12:35 PM
Thank you Eric! I appreciate your great comments. Many Thanks. Cheers - Gary
Faulkner Avatar
May 7, 2022 at 3:02 PM
Lovely sense of tranquility and letting go, especially the last stanza-
Radice Avatar
May 8, 2022 at 12:51 AM
Thank you Michelle. A sense of tranquility was what I was after. Cheers - Gary
Cornish Avatar
May 5, 2022 at 1:10 PM
Perfect iambic tetrameter, but better yet, it becomes whole, not simply 4 couplets - the secret of excellent writing
Radice Avatar
May 6, 2022 at 12:32 PM
Craig, thanks so much for taking time out to read and comment. For one reason or another I often use iambic tetrameter in my poems. I just find it so natural. Cheers - Gary
Ray Avatar
May 4, 2022 at 8:17 PM
i lived on an estuary in Mexico great capture of the environment therein, a lovely existence i sometimes sorely miss...thanks
Radice Avatar
May 5, 2022 at 8:46 AM
Thank you Timothy. I would love to live on an estuary. I live about half an hour from one though. Lovely place. Cheers- Gary
Ray Choudhury Avatar
April 30, 2022 at 3:20 AM
Congratulations, Gary, on your win. Your poem took me to a tranquil place - love these descriptions -"a place where screeching, circling birds". The final two lines are classic - the image of river meeting the ocean resonates with me. Thanks for visiting my poem. BW ~ Mala
Radice Avatar
April 30, 2022 at 9:50 AM
Hi Mala. Thanks so much for your lovely comments. I'm really happy with the win but moreso with the great comments the poem has received from Soupers. Cheers - Gary
Chunn Avatar
April 29, 2022 at 5:25 PM
You paint a beautiful picture with your words. Congratulations on such a descriptive rhyme.
Radice Avatar
April 30, 2022 at 1:11 AM
I appreciate your great comments Andy, thank you. Cheers - Gary
Marcum Wong Avatar
April 29, 2022 at 1:54 AM
Congratulations on your wonderful second place with this gem Gary. Blessings xxoo
Radice Avatar
April 29, 2022 at 3:08 AM
Thank you Connie. It was a lovely surprise to get a podium place. Cheers - Gary
Alex Avatar
April 29, 2022 at 1:44 AM
A short beautiful rhyme. Congratulations!
Radice Avatar
April 29, 2022 at 1:55 AM
Thank you Christuraj. I truly appreciate your feedback. Cheers - Gary
Cunningham Avatar
April 28, 2022 at 10:24 AM
A tranquil place Gary, where one can reflect on the past and try and see the future. Tom
Radice Avatar
April 29, 2022 at 1:29 AM
Hi Tom! I envisaged a tranquil place..on the edge of life and death..writing about the memories that never die..and I just love sand, sea, estuaries, wetlands..so peaceful and so calming. I'm catching up with my reads today and looking forward to it. Cheers - Gary
Hankins Avatar
April 28, 2022 at 10:22 AM
Beautiful! I love poems like this about the ocean, estuaries, etc. They are my favorites. I could picture this one so well.
Radice Avatar
April 29, 2022 at 1:25 AM
Thanks Milt. I was playing around with an idea inspired by the American Poet Walt Whitman's "To Old Age" (From 'Leaves Of Grass')......."I see in you the estuary that enlarges and spreads itself grandly as it pours in the great sea." ....I just ran with it from there. :) Once again I'm behind on my reading. I'll catch up in the next day or so. Read you soon Milt and Cheers - Gary
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