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River
riven, riving, splitting
the land
jumpable at source then
stone’s throw
soon requiring
bridge
stone arch, brick viaduct
sweeping suspension
roving, striving
until mouthing
emptying into sea
creating currents
pulling, twisting, turning
diving
rising, evaporating
into thin air
gathering
to fall again
into stream
brook, tributary,
thriving, living
river.
Bend in the river
more of a stream
(should that be less?)
that winds across Dartmoor
under Postbridge and Two Bridges
our parents used to take us there
with picnic and sandwiches
it was deep enough to dive or jump in
at one point if
you were careful and small
I thought it tasted brackish
until I learned later
that means salty
it was not salty but earthy
(salt of the earth?)
not exactly unpleasant
but you wouldn’t want to
drink it unless
very thirsty
it was cold
bitterly
but somehow, we acclimatised
and splashed about
and duck dived until
our fingers were white and
we had to get out and
it was difficult to
dress
and hold
our sandwiches
of spam and tomato sauce
(we didn’t call it ketchup in those days).