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The Submerged Canal

A corridor of rushes and flag
passes through the field: the line they drew
then set with theodolites, then dug
and flooded with the Trent holds true.

But the silver’s gone from its mirror, weeds
have stitched it up and joined their dots,
and as things thickened, meadow seeds
must have dropped anchor in its silted plot.

To imagine navvies we only need look
beyond its vanishing point. But since
the fishes stopped in its long-case clock
the canal’s been burying the evidence.

© Paul Farley 2008

Written in response to a visit to the Anderton Boat Lift at the invitation of British Waterways.

The Anderton Boat Lift is a huge nineteenth century structure which formerly transferred heavy freight boats between the River Weaver and the Trent and Mersey canal. After a massive restoration programme it is now primarily a tourist resource. Paul travelled on the trip boat and met some of the people who control the operation of the lift.

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