Colwick Lakes

Published in anthology IMMORTAL DIAMOND - Oct 1997

Water forget-me-nots hug the shoreline round rocks.

The cobbled underbed of dark, dappled stone undulates,

latticed by wave upon wave of light and shade.

Cormorants, like besuited old men in clubs,

Cackle, necks curved, and talk about old catches.

A drake, head indigo and shimmering,

drops pearls while shedding streams.

Moorhens stride jerkily by on feet too big -

road-running to snatch the last offered crumbs.

Sun cuts the lake's surface into diamond facets,

while whorled purple clouds soften the glare,

as the wind throws ruffles of silk

across the grey, marbled water.

The trout man - dull green jacket, speckled cap -

casts his silken line, fly-feathered, back

then forward to lure foolish fish

from friendly waters to an airy bank,

and an iron bar.