I use to write limericks and short prose years ago, just messing about nothing of a critical level just a bit of fun. And just for fun I wrote short prose about the canal I use every other day.

“Longford towns stretch of Royal Canal”

The banality of the canal belies its turbulent energies… layers …in its bed, of flowing waters

How many cycles of duck has it fed, boats that brought it’s breath and more, sustaining life itself nobody knows today.

Walkers runners with fears of it, dogs bikes and many benches, the bowsers, the cans and sometimes friendly how are ya’s.

This stretch of banal canal by the town itself hides herself well …too many a story to tell.

Now with its overgrown reeds… newly laid out tarmacadden… pole to pole of lights and life saving bouys, that make ya wonder her depth …up to your knees.

The tall trees small trees bushes wild flowers and colours seasonal, birds forever homage to our maker …bring us all back… time again… to our royal banal canal. 

Michael Croghan (25th June 2022)