Benson Weir

Benson Weir

A Poem by Chris Shaw

I walk this sturdy, steel-grey bridge
which spans the river's flow,
to watch the gush and sudden rush
of water plunge below.

The wicked weir with all its force,
a source of fear to some.
And yet it holds a canvas bold
to thrill for days to come.

A thousand swirls of crystal twirls
cascade and dance for joy,
as continents of floating foam
surround a bobbing buoy.

A surge of moving marble peaks
collide with broken reeds,
and small suds on the margins form
a line of cut glass beads.

Too soon they merge then disappear,
lost in the downstream chase
where all becomes a memory 
of crystalline and lace.

© 2024 Chris Shaw


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Featured Review

Lovely images, beautiful Poem you have given to us here Christine. I must admit I enjoyed every word of it. I have always loved to be by a river. I only wish I could live by one. Seems that you like myself have a deep love for nature. Thank you for the share, my friend....Peter

Posted 6 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Chris Shaw

6 Years Ago

I do have a deep love of nature Peter and the river is in my blood. I live close to the Thames. Than.. read more



Reviews

A beautiful painting in words.
"A thousand swirls of crystal twirls
cascade and dance for joy,
as continents of floating foam
surround a bobbing buoy."
So well expressed in verse so well formed. The next stanza is my favorite and I am amazed at its poetic beauty.
"A surge of moving marble peaks
collide with broken reeds,
and small suds on the margins form
a line of cut glass beads."
The word choice in this one is astounding.
It is all summed up in the last wher the last line " crystalline and lace." is an image I won't soon forget


Posted 10 Months Ago


Chris Shaw

10 Months Ago

Thank you for all that wonderful encouragement Soren. It makes such a difference to how I feel about.. read more
Wonderfull expressed as the images swirl within my mind ;-}

Posted 10 Months Ago


Chris Shaw

10 Months Ago

Thank you Weeping willow. Pleased you like the imagery. I tried hard with this one:) Hope all is ok .. read more
This poem has a very Lewis Carrol quality to it:) It makes me want to run down the street and stand by the river and gaze at its gush... but alas it is -10 degrees outside so I just imagine it again in your lines:) sometimes when I read you I feel like you just gave me a hug:)

Posted 10 Months Ago


Chris Shaw

10 Months Ago

I just gave you a hug Bunny (( )). In fact two. I hope you are in good spirits my friend and your h.. read more


having dipped a proverbial toe in exactly one year ago, I feel sufficiently confident enough to dive write in and leave a little extra something behind this time x

Posted 10 Months Ago


Chris Shaw

10 Months Ago

Aw, thanks for your second visit Neville, and for leaving a little extra. It all helps:) Have a won.. read more
Neville

10 Months Ago


I see Tesco was write then Chuck .. Neville
Wild, and romantic poem Chris. Captures the beauty of rushing water, a captive eye cresting along its wake. Vibrant in images, and language. An enjoyable read for a sleepless poet submerged in his own froth and fury

hope alls well

Ken

Posted 10 Months Ago


Chris Shaw

10 Months Ago

Hi Ken, all good thanks. Poor sleepless you. However, I am grateful that it sent you my way. Many th.. read more
sheer poetry in motion. well at least your thoughts have a smooth flow. this could have well been written for the little, steel-grey bridge spanning the river here by me. i cross it nearly every day with my trusted companion milo. i should be so fortunate as to cross your deep, beautiful words as frequently ... :)

Posted 10 Months Ago


Chris Shaw

10 Months Ago

What a lovely review you have left me. Thank you so much Pete. Hope your day has gone well.
.. read more
Lovely ballad, Chris. Such surging water can be a threat or a joy.

Posted 10 Months Ago


Chris Shaw

10 Months Ago

So right Andrew, can be a curse and a joy. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

Chris
Chris,

Holy Cow! ... This a powerfully panoramic piece of poetry that purt-near takes the reader to virtual reality stand upon that sturdy bridge watching the river's water gush and flow ... Thoroughly enjoyable and most excellently written, for sure and certain, as far this old man goes ...

Marve

Posted 10 Months Ago


Chris Shaw

10 Months Ago

Thanks you for that high praise Marve. You have me blushing. Pleased you enjoyed my efforts.
.. read more
super description of a raging river in full flight
I see we have a couple of weeks of rain ahead which will combine with melting snow to likely reflect the same scene you describe

Posted 10 Months Ago


Chris Shaw

10 Months Ago

I hope you don’t end up with flooding. Many thanks Dave. Pleased you enjoyed this poem.
read more
Chris,
Excellent imagery! How many old iron bridges have I seen just as you describe? and the foamy river running along just like us passing into memory... Hopefully knowing that our mark is as temporary as a bank of suds bouncing off a buoy... NICE NICE NICE!

Posted 10 Months Ago


Chris Shaw

10 Months Ago

Dear Vol, you have left me such an encouraging review. Thank you for stopping by.

C.. read more

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Shelved in 1 Library
Added on May 10, 2018
Last Updated on January 14, 2024

Author

Chris Shaw
Chris Shaw

Berkshire, United Kingdom



About
Albert, my paternal grandfather introduced me to Tennyson when I was nine. I have loved poetry ever since but did not attempt writing a single piece until I was 40. It's never too late to try somethin.. more..

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