Louisa Glides Through Sonning Lock

Boating anyone?

On starboard side the deck hands stand

with practiced hands they hold their ropes

to lasso bollards painted black

No looking back as rear gates close

then ready, steady, open up

the keeper's key turns by degrees

A gush of marbled crystalline

pours through the sluice gates in a rush

Louisa rises in the lock

Above the chained and green slime walls

she dips and falls then stretches tall

soon eye to eye with keeper's clock

She waits for gates to do their job

the nod is given and they're off

on board the crew know what to do

Her sturdy bow slides slowly through

a wave to you a wave to me

Louisa glides through Sonning lock

Reviews

[Stella Armour]

Wow, and yes i know how it feels to be on a boat as it rises in the lock...a wonderful experience.

lovely imagery of the inside walls of the lock itself ...deep down there, and the lock keeper's practiced hand. In fact i can almost smell the water lol..

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Stella. Yes, river water has a smell of its own. Usually it's me doing the ropes, but this time I was watching a huge boat, with a proper crew taking up the whole lock. They were so professional. Not like me fumbling about!

[Stella Armour]

i used to help at a disabled group, and we live in the area of the Leeds canal; well we took our group, wheelchairs and all for a cruise on the waterway one afternoon, the boat was specially adapted for disabled groups and would you believe she was called "Ethel"

[Chris Shaw]

Ha ha. Boats have some great names. It's such fun looking out for some of the more unusual ones. What a lovely afternoon for those disabled folks. bet they had a great time.

[Stella Armour]

yes, i did too lol

[Chris Shaw]

And why not? Fun for everyone :))

[matelotrod]

My childhood was spent on the Kennet and Avon canal, mainly fishing as the boating, or barging, had finished. We made our own floating planks and it was also our first swimming area. Times have changed phenomenally but I can still envisage it and the contents of this piece brought back many happy memories, thanks for sharing this one Chris. Rod.

[Chris Shaw]

Good morning Rod. So pleased that this little poem brought back happy memories for you. Yes the Kennet and Avon merges with the Thames, very close to where I live. In fact we were out boating again this week-end and went through Sonning lock. All good wishes to you Rod.

Chris

[matelotrod]

I was raised in Pewsey in Wiltshire and the Canal was just up the road. We all learned to swim, fish and paddle home made boats there. Those were the days. Rod.

[Chris Shaw]

I used to live near the Grand Union canal in Hemel Hempstead, we did similar there when we were kids. Many a time I used to paddle the parallel stream and get wet socks!

[Kelly Scheppers]

A most enjoyable excursion, even if it was only in my mind. Your creativity knows no boundaries. Very impressive piece, Chris!

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Kelly.

[Annette Pisano-Higley]

Chris, your salty, seafaring poem is delightful and I would love to be on board the Louisa as she “glides through Sonning lock.” Your vivid and palpable imagery make the heart of this poem live and breathe so buoyantly- it “dips and falls then stretches tall” with her. Being land-locked here in the Bronx, I can only dream, but thanks to your poem I can dream grandly on the Louisa...

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Annette. Boating in my blood now.

[Annette Pisano-Higley]

You’re very welcome Chris. Have fun boating!:))

[Chris Shaw]

I do Annette. Very much so as do all my family :))

[emmajoy]

Beautiful, wonderful.. brings back so many memories... holidays, upping and downing, smooth wates and the occasion eveing beastie. You write the British.. dare i say, the English scene brilliantly, Chris.. Your language romps, meter fine and you colour in the spaces. Brilliant words, yet again. x

'A gush of marbled crystalline ~ pours through the sluice gates in a rush ~ Louisa rises in the lock '

[Chris Shaw]

Hi Em, yes please dare, I am English and have no hang ups about it. Can't be doing with this pc mob that interferes with everything nowadays. Pleased that it brought back memories for you. The river runs through my veins, always will. From the source at Letchlade, right through London, it's always been close to me. have a wonderful day

Chris x

[emmajoy]

We don't always stand and be counted.. up the English in all our wonderful colours, faiths and hope for a peaceful life, traditions galore!!!

Don't know about you, but when i think of England i think of Wind and the Willows wed to The Once and Future King. What do you think>> Maybe we need a something: what epitomises our country!?!

Hugs, Em xx

[Chris Shaw]

Interesting thoughts, I am older than you, so mine are likely to be different. Castles, Shakespeare, rich and bloody history, classical poetry, look at our authors and poets, what a wealth we have, our resilience, Sunday roasts, walks in the park, seaside, music, Beatles, our own Queen, Wimbledon, Henley Regatta,Ascot races, I could go on and on Em

[emmajoy]

Would agree wholeheartedly .. we could even go back to Chaucer, Donne and a hugful more.. Stonehenge and Avebury and.. and. and. and.. whilst a shift in how to.. our traditions. Excuse me, really must go out a buy a larger hat, my head is too large to go out the door! :)

[Chris Shaw]

That'll be me needing a much larger hat as well :)) Absolutely, Trooping of the colour, Royal weddings and the ilk. There is so much

[emmajoy]

LAUGHING! Let's be honest.. we know what we have.. and love it all, warts and all. xxxx

[Phill Oz O'fee]

Shiplake is a two-centred village and rural civil parish on the left bank of the River Thames centred around 2 miles south of Henley-on-Thames in Oxfordshire and is only around the corner from where the subject of your lovely poetic piece takes place. I mention this because a friend of mind moved there awhile ago! Loved the imagery and could visualise the craft within the lock's walls; complete with gushing water and river sounds – nice piece … :-)

[Chris Shaw]

Ah Shiplake, very close to Sonning, know it well. Isn't that a wonderful place name, Shiplake? Conjures up brilliant imagery. Lovely part of the world, country but close enough to town if you wish. I don't lol. Pleased you enjoyed and your responses always appreciated Phill.

Chris

[Pete]

i've had the pleasure of visiting some boat locks. a magical sight. your words do justice to the experience. captivatingly clever and impressive. so glad the Louisa was raised up in the lock by the water and your words both! ... :)

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Pete. You are right, it is a magical sight to see the locks working, filling up and draining in order that the craft can continue with their journey. Many thanks for your visit.

Chris

[Lorry]

This is so perfectly penned for a day like today. It reminds me of where I just moved from, as I used to wander up and down the forth & clyde canal, which for some unkown reason, runs right through the middle of our shopping centre/ mall. Don't worry, they built a bridge for us :)

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Lorry 4.9. Bridges are useful :))

[CD Campbell]

I'm a fan of blank verse and feel not everything has to rhyme if meter is involved. The consistency of the meter in your poem has it's own unique beauty. I like the tercet and your use of it is amazing.
I was in the navy for a time and about this time of the year with the start of summer I start to feel a little squeezed in by all this land around me. I miss the ocean, but the imagery you provided of Louisa going through the lock pushes those little nautical urges I have to the background and makes me a little more content. It's wonderful poem. CD

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you so much CD. Pleased you enjoyed the read. Happy to boat on the river, but not brave enough to go on the ocean. I like to see how far I've got to swim if something goes pear shaped :))

Chris

[Jimmy Yetts]

Floated a raft, once, up a fairly large stream; 'bout as close as I've ever come to piloting watercraft.
You, on the other hand, sound as if you're Captain material.
Enjoyed the read, Chris!

[Chris Shaw]

Thanks Jimmy. First mate more like it, the Captain isn't likely to relinquish his duties easily :)).

Chris