Charles G. D. Roberts (1860-1943)
The Herring Weir
1Back to the green deeps of the outer bay
2 The red and amber currents glide and cringe,
3 Diminishing behind a luminous fringe
4Of cream-white surf and wandering wraiths of spray.
5Stealthily, in the old reluctant way,
6 The red flats are uncovered, mile on mile,
7 To glitter in the sun a golden while.
8Far down the flats, a phantom sharply grey,
9The herring weir emerges, quick with spoil.
10 Slowly the tide forsakes it. Then draws near,
11 Descending from the farm-house on the height,
12A cart, with gaping tubs. The oxen toil
13 Sombrely o'er the level to the weir,
14 And drag a long black trail across the light.
Notes
9] weir: a fence underwater at high tide that traps fish as the tide runs out.
Online text copyright © 2009, Ian Lancashire (the Department of English) and the University of Toronto.
Published by the Web Development Group, Information Technology Services, University of Toronto Libraries.
Original text: Selected Poems of Sir Charles G. D. Roberts (Toronto: Ryerson, 1936): 100. PS 8485 O22A17 Robarts Library.
First publication date:
1893
RPO poem editor: Ian Lancashire
RP edition: RPO 1998.
Recent editing: 2:2002/4/3
Form: sonnet
Rhyme: abbaaccadefdef
Other poems by Charles G. D. Roberts
