On Severn Beaches

Memories of sailing as a boy

As we lent out on Severn beaches

We were soon straining in the reaches

With the prevailing wind on our wet and salty backs

 

The towns of Wales twinkled in the distance

As the water raced beneath with no resistance

On this river that is an estuary, a channel and a sea

 

And the waves rolled in high in layers

Charging like a ruck of rugby players

And we rolled too, but never forgetting our course

 

Our little boat took us out to where the big ships go

Away from the shifting sandbanks so perilous and shallow

For we were in the coastal race and needed a big westerly at our head

 

And when it finally came with the spinnaker up high

I did not feel so strange, as I only had the cup in my eye

With my feet upon the hull I leant out to give us an edge of speed

 

Steering through running eddy and rising over swells

At last we looked at the place where the land lover dwells

To the pier and its final buoy and the firm ground of the jetty

 

For all our faults

We held our little boat true

Thank-you for that day

I will forever be your crew

 

 

 

Reviews

[J. J. Nightingale]

Wow .. I like ... Question .. Ruck of rugby players ?
Spinnaker ?
Severn Beaches ?
Sorry to be so stupid .. I like to learn new things .. Help ! ..

This paints a picture ! Well done .. Jazz

[Kathy Van Kurin]

'On Severn Beaches'
Leigh
Did a little reading to find this location. I live in the states so this was very interesting.
Iv'e not traveled avidly as some have but the imagination helps right! South Gloucester,
England estuary. I suppose a river runs into it. The River Avon I saw also as well as a
castle but these two may not be right there.
Your description of
'the towns of Wales twinkling in the distance.
as the water raced beneath with no resistance
on this river that is an estuary, a channel and a sea'
In looking at a map the form of coast becomes apparent and where you went out.
Was this race part of a festival? It must of been so exciting.
'Our little boat took us out to where the big ships so
away from the shifting sandbanks so perilous and shallow
For we were in the coastal race and needed a big westerly at our head.'
Now your getting close to the finishing line:
and when it finally came with the spinnaker up high
I did not feel so strange as I only had the cup in my eye
With my feet upon the hull I leant out to give us an edge of speed'
I and my husband use to have a sail boat and I remember the joy
of taking it out. This was a true joy to read. I read and studied it and
just entered into this day with you. Thanks for a beautiful story given
in lovely poetic form.
Blessings,
Kathy

[Wandering Minstrel]

this is lovely!! The beauty of this is enchanting

[Stanley Wilson]

cold wet Wales great write enjoyed it

[Stammers]

The towns of Wales twinkled in the distance
As water raced beneath us with no resistance

what a beautiful epitaph to youth :)

[Leigh]

Thanks for your review, its how I like to remember ;-)

[Shelley Holt-Lowrey]

Enjoyed this much. A refreshingly different subject and one seldom written of in poetry. ...sailing, racing. Nice rhythm and meter. I believe I felt the sasins pray hit my face for a minute

[Leigh]

Good and thanks

[Morning Star (SJA)]

Really great and different kind of poem. I feel written very well, really feel the movement in the poem that reflects the voyage.

[Leigh]

I appreciate that

[Michael G.]

I could feel and enjoy the race. Great feel and flow to this poem.
A very enjoyable read.

[Leigh]

Thanks Michael, thanks very much

[Mockingbird]

brings to mind a memorable moment shared by two people. they seemed to have hit a rough patch but was able to save their relationship. great work.

[Leigh]

A special memory for me, hard to explain

[Marie]

I can understand your terms, in a general way. I can just see this little boat rollng through the waves...sailing sounds lovely...

[Leigh]

Its choppy out there, many little boats are toppled over, we never did, good job the water is highly polluted, thanks for reviewing