The Herring Weir
Original Text:
Selected Poems of Sir Charles G. D. Roberts (Toronto: Ryerson, 1936): 100. PS 8485 O22A17 Robarts Library.
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,
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. Back to Line
Publication Start Year:
1893
RPO poem Editors:
Ian Lancashire
RPO Edition:
RPO 1998.
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