Reservoir Moon

feels like months

that rain has dogged us

still loitering here

while somewhere else is dry

as I drive through

the dripping forest

I like to think it's hanging on

to its history of kings and queens

and whatever dignity

it has left

after being chopped back

to the reservation on the hill

a river in the valley below

feeds the London reservoir

a silvery mirror held up

to an unresponsive sky

no skinny-dipping tonight

for the moon no matter

how many taps we turn on

to persuade her down

that would take your breath away,

like the sight of geese departing

across the water like Vulcan bombers

in formation overhead

let's not forget the way

the moon behaved

the night frantic firemen

quenched the fire

almost draining

the reservoir

seventy-two residents burned

as she passed over the water

the goddess she'd become

remained aloof

trailing teasing veils of mist

or was it smoke

                       *

Reviews

[Julie McCarthy (juliesp..]

I find this intriguing is this reference about the residents burning from that terrible unit fire forgive me if I’m mistaken love your work

[Gerald Parker]

Thanks, Julie. It's it's reference to the dreadful Grenfell Tower fire.