The river is benign,

The river is benign,

Barely flowing

Hiding its treachery deep down

Below the level of water skaters

Kingfishers wearing blue coats

Over brown feathered backs

Are not afraid to look conspicuous

They know what lies beneath,

The shock of cold water is worth the prize.

Lovers lie on fresh-cut grass

Laughing, high on life

Exams are over

School is out for the summer

They missed the regatta,

Even as rowers passed by

Splashing oars

Feathering in haste.

The couple only have eyes for each other

Until they leave for home, where expectant parents

Uncross fingers and

Count their blessings

That money is being well spent

Education is an interactive process

They are hopeful nothing will prove to be

A distraction

Friendships are to be encouraged

Relationships not so much.

Soon the salmon will be running

Up to the spawning grounds

To do and die

An amateur photographer cradles

His equipment hoping to catch the first leap

Unless he is lurking

Waiting for another fish to fry

His lens is fumbled and he misses a big one

So many escape his eager scrutiny

A walking man lowers his phone

The practice leap caught on camera

Even without trying,

He ignores the lovers

He was once where they are

And other people were invisible

Until the blood cooled

He would rather remember his own time

In the sun

Than to cast a shadow over theirs

The Kingfisher plunged

Soon to come up with the catch of the day

The photographer,

Looking the other way missed it,

Yet again.