Benson Weir

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.

Reviews

[peter Duggan]

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

[Chris Shaw]

I do have a deep love of nature Peter and the river is in my blood. I live close to the Thames. Thank you for your kind review.

Chris

[Soren]

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

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you for all that wonderful encouragement Soren. It makes such a difference to how I feel about my poetry. Have a great day and so many thanks for your visit.

Chris

[Weeping willow]

Wonderfull expressed as the images swirl within my mind ;-}

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Weeping willow. Pleased you like the imagery. I tried hard with this one:) Hope all is ok in your world.

Chris 🌺

[Robert Trakofler]

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:)

[Chris Shaw]

I just gave you a hug Bunny (( )). In fact two. I hope you are in good spirits my friend and your health continues to improve. Lovely to have a visit from you.

Chris

[Neville]

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

[Chris Shaw]

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

Chris

[Neville]

I see Tesco was write then Chuck .. Neville

[Ken e Bujold]

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

[Chris Shaw]

Hi Ken, all good thanks. Poor sleepless you. However, I am grateful that it sent you my way. Many thanks for your visit and your lovely review. Much appreciated.

Chris

[Pete]

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 ... :)

[Chris Shaw]

What a lovely review you have left me. Thank you so much Pete. Hope your day has gone well.

Chris

[Andrew John]

Lovely ballad, Chris. Such surging water can be a threat or a joy.

[Chris Shaw]

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

Chris

[Marvin Thomas Cox-Flynn..]

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

[Chris Shaw]

Thanks you for that high praise Marve. You have me blushing. Pleased you enjoyed my efforts.

Chris

[Dave Brown]

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

[Chris Shaw]

I hope you don’t end up with flooding. Many thanks Dave. Pleased you enjoyed this poem.
read moreI hope you don’t end up with flooding. Many thanks Dave. Pleased you enjoyed this poem.

Chris

[Vol]

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!

[Chris Shaw]

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

Chris