The soft September sunlight shone br Through still and stagnant waters green, br A clouded mass of silt and weed br Beside the bridge's arch. br br A shoal of silver rudd did lie br So motionless yet through the murk, br They glowed and lit the shallows br Of that peaceful waterway. br br Like frozen in the midst of time br They hung suspended there before, br Too many for my eyes to count br The season had been kind. br br I heard a moorhen call within br The weary wilting banks of reed, br Too shy to leave the safety br Of the shadows where it swam. br br Beyond the hawthorn berries ripe br In scarlet drew my wandering gaze, br Where bush and brick converged I stared br As autumn days drew near. br br br br Copyright.