Woolwich Barrier
The Thames Barrier`s monkish cowls
nod the boats through upstream downstream
obedient as wind-up toys.
Silently measuring channels of tide
under arches where waters divide
while fish devoutly dip and rise
to the ring of distant buoys.
When London`s threatened by the flood
these saving gates will pivot shut
- that`s good -
holding back the wall of tide
and God help those who live the Woolwich side.
Oona Chantrell, Oct 2008
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