BOGHART HOLE CLOUGH BOATING LAKE

            It was a very hot day

          Our ice cream had melted away

          So we decided to take

          A boat out on the lake.

          She stepped in effortlessly.

          I wish I could say the same for me.

I almost took us past the Plimsoll line

          I thought we’d capsize, but we were doing fine

          Until we pushed off from shore

          And I struggled with the heavy oar

          Trying my best to look like I knew how to row

          But it was obvious to her that I didn’t know

          As we went round in circles this way and that

          I might as well have tried rowing with a cricket bat

          But my companion seemed to enjoy herself

          Despite my making such a fool of myself.

          I joked about the lack of sails or an outside motor

          And I dropped a paddle, which slightly soaked her

          She shrugged her shoulders and didn’t seem to care

          And it was a joy to have her with me to smile and share

          The day, the moment, the sunshine and glisten

          Of sunshine on water while we had time to listen

          To each other whispering love and sweet nothings.

          Like two overgrown kids. We’d played on the swings

          And roundabouts and slides in the park

          Messing around, having fun, and now having a lark

          With the scurvy crew of a passing rowing boat

          Who splashed us with cold-water acting the goat?

          I was more surprised than them when my friend

          Jumped into the lake and waded over to grab the end

          Of their boat to tip them over to the brink of capsizing

          Laving them panicking, screaming and apologising.

          She swam her way back and reached out for my hand

          And I knew from her smile that I wouldn’t reach dry land

          In the boat, so I slid over the side and we hugged in the water.

          The boat-keepers shouted and chased us and almost caught her

          As we swam and then ran off into the cover of the trees

          Our clothes already drying in the summer breeze

          We met up again, and assured each other that we were all right

          And made our plans for far greater mischief for that night

                                                            Arthur Chappell