The River Nidd Poem by Phil Ward

A most pleasant lunch I ever did,
Was spent at Pately Bridge amid,
The narrow streets and bunting flags,
Remnants of those cycling lads,
Who shot through here without a glance,
Oblivious to its quiet romance,
They were out to win the Tour de France,
And never saw the river Nidd.

The treasure here in Pately Bridge,
Is whispered from the river Nidd,
In sparkling form and quiet surrender,
Modest in its hidden splendour,
If only they had had the time,
To watch the water flow sublime,
Just half a mo to see what's hid,
Beneath their wheels,
The river Nidd.

I sit beside the River Nidd,
Staring deep in thought amid,
What happened here some days ago,
The fish and ducks they'll never know,
Would they even give a quack?
About Pately Bridge the cycle track,
No doubt they'll mark it with a plaque,
Upon the bridge of the river Nidd.