Something lives by Nedderston bridge.
Not on land, not under the overhanging
branches of the weeping willow,
but in the dark water.
Where we used to hang out to learn
about fear, where we shrieked and splashed
in the fast-moving rivulets, where we imagined
the trolls and faeries falling on us
from the willow’s confusion,
where sunlight barely reached the soft,
squashy cushions woven from water plantain,
and sweet flag, and big blue stem.
Something is following us.
You probably think I made it all up, or perhaps
that I am a true witch's daughter.
Don’t be so sure.
Look now and you'll see the outline
of a dark, undulating shape
moving silently below the water.
A German-born UK national, Rose Mary Boehm lives and works in Lima, Peru. Author of two novels and two poetry collections, her work has been widely published in US poetry journals (online and print). She was twice winner of the monthly Goodreads Poetry competition.
Beautiful magical poem.
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