Sunset Scene

Setting sun carved a path over the Humber From Hessle right across the river bend To join the banks at Ferriby Foreshore Where that path came to its end. The great smelter chimney Rising there darkly up high Sent its stream of carcinogenic smoke Crawling across the reddening sky. The resident old transvestite man, Beach combing the bank for wood Let the small boat he pulled drift so it Crossed the path from where I stood. To my rear the Bridge dominated Striding the river from side to side Then the longest in the world With its span totalling a mile wide. That strange mixture of past and present Not there to be seen anymore For the smelter was pulled down And taken to pollute a foreign shore; And the old man in his strange garb? Not even sure if he’s still here. I’ve not walked that old path For far too many years. But the bridge, now second biggest, Still spans the waterway Carrying the road’s traffic Day after day after day. A hush in the gathering darkness. Fading to silence bird song. And as the sun lowered to earth My scarlet path was gone.