Canal Boat

A poem shaped like a canal boat that I submitted for my first assessment in Creative Writing at university.

two

 

abreast

 

they will wait

 

as the water groans

 

and gurgles down, drains in

 

the locks like a slow, blocked sink.

 

the narrow boats wobble from side to

 

side as the water is compressed

 

down. they adorn colourful names,

 

inspired by family pride and heritage

 

but words don’t reflect in stagnant water,

 

engulfed under the frequent vacuums of

 

dark at three am, no one dares to

 

go below the arched bridges

 

they prefer to be defended,

 

protected by the chaotic

 

city above the walls

 

popping, squeaking

 

engines galore

 

they all creep

 

under our

 

city.

Reviews

[Onlyme]

I could just picture this alone Manchester or Rochdale canal. Vivid and perfect.