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27 June 11 - Westcliff

The tide is out as far as it can be.

The mud flats and the banks that cut across

The estuary emerge to carve the void

Between Westcliff and the terminals

On the southern side.  Water skiers

Skim between the warming greys to churn

The edges into sudden banks of light

Quickly sensed and just as quickly gone.

After a day of unexpected heat

The clouds are moving in, and temperatures

Fall back, comfortable, rather than

The endless running sweat of afternoon.

A tanker slides down channel, and the glow

Of evening sunlight calms the after tow.

Dr Brian Hick 27.6.22

©copyright Sally Hick 16.8.23