Looking down through dead water.

…

On the ferry,

I liked sitting

on the edge,

looking down,

through dead water*.

…

I was returning

to a place

that was

and was not

my home.

…

I had never

been away,

returning

on the ferry,

looking down.

…

The River Suirs’

waters swirling,

muddy grey,

where it meets

the sea.

…

In the morning,

waiting, waiting.

Nearer now

to the quay,

where he’d be waiting,

with the brake

and horses,

a pair in hand.

…

Home again.

…

Looking down through dead water.

…

©robcullen06032021

…

…

Dead water is the nautical term for a phenomenon which can occur when there is strong vertical density stratification due to salinity or temperature or both. It is common where a layer of fresh or brackish water rests on top of denser salt water, without the two layers mixing.

…

or water eddying beside a moving hull, especially directly astern.

…

or a part of a stream where there is a slack current.

…

©robcullen3.12.2020.Resistance Poetry

WRITTEN BY

Rob Cullen

Rob Cullen artist, writer, poet. Rob runs “Voices on the Bridge” a poetry initiative in Wales. Walks hills and mountains daily with a sheep dog at his side.