The Bridge Does Span The Waterway Poem by ANDREW BLAKEMORE

The bridge does span the waterway
The Longwood basin calm,
With fields of green that run beside
The way to Calder Farm,
Now several barges moored upon
The languid Hay Head side,
White Diamond and Rebecca to
The shaded bank are tied.

I walk towards the keeper's house
Then stop and contemplete,
On all the many vessels that
Have been through this old gate,
I think of all the days gone by
And old familiar signs,
When waterways were laden with
The coal from Cannock mines.

All heading to the foundry works
To fire the furnace steel,
So many had to pass this way
And turn this old cogged wheel,
That opened up this lock gate then
Saw waters rise and fall,
Then onward on their journey hence
Towards their port of call.

No longer do the horses pull
The barges toil and strain,
Nor walk along the tow-path here
Day in day out again,
It is so quiet and peaceful now
Yet still the remnants last,
Of days of smoking chimney stacks
And times of ages passed.