By The River!

By the canal was pleasant as the day cooled

humidity had been high.

But alone on the river bank it was chilly

yet absorbed watching swans.

Nearby under a bridge a boat slowly passed

scattered birds and shadows cast!

 

Sitting and relaxing on the grassy river bank

though alone was refreshing.

When he became aware of a splashing sound

yet nothing visibly in sight.

Except ripples on the flowing murky water

my perceptions began to alter!

 

Drawn to the focal point the water erupted

into an explosive rising.

As a young man appeared gasping for air

desperately needing help!

Before vanishing below a river fast flowing

now nothing was showing!

 

Then a couple came happily strolling by

telling them to summon help!

Before jumping in trying to save this man

who was drowning feet away.

Cold and dark now tired he searched blind

yet a body he couldn’t find!

 

Now weak unable to get out the police arrived

dragging him onto dry land.

Divers took over he struggled just for warmth

what would be recovered.

Hours later nothing had been found in the river

he now began to shiver.

 

Their conclusion there was nobody drowning

but an enquiry would be started.

Was it a mistake in what he’d witnessed that day

there had been a man in distress!

So real no doubt in every detail not a creation

this was not imagination!

 

A historical fact a man had drowned there forty years before!

 

Was this what he’d seen play over again?

 

The Foureyed Poet.

 

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