Stuart Pickford
Source
The valley is laid before him,
beck gargling its moment.
Like his daughter, he savours
the brink of plunging into speed.
He leans, falls into running.
The beck dummies boulders,
swerves behind trees--leaps;
finds its walking pace
his slack breath. His heart
idles. Quietness a weight.
The mill pool is silted.
Once looms rivetted air.
Roller-skaters would lurch
and topple before a music hall
patterned night with songs.
All are folded into time.
Across the dance floor,
darkness and silence touch.
Each broken pane of sun
holds its black star.
He’s away. Powering the smooth
surge, the body’s boast
that blurs and stretches colours;
the beck flowing with him,
and the voice of his girl.
Gibson Mill, Hebden Valley, Hebden Bridge, was used as a mill, skating rink and music hall before becoming derelict.
Page(s) 70
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