The Kingfisher by Jason Lewis and Ancient Champion Lyrics

It happened here.

Where the river sneaked
near the spillage
of the new estates.
Where the hunted made their home

Water coursed
Around worn out tyres
Upturned shopping trolleys
Rose like church spires.
Rubbish strewn like confetti on the bank

No one saw the altercation,
The boys head submerged,
His baptism in a fetid stream,
His gulping down of filth,
His arms epileptic.

They weren't even looking
When his body was seen.
Assuming it was flytipping
A giant rag doll dumped in the reeds.
Residents recoiled from
Taped barriers and tents
No mourning for the awkward teen
No prayers said, no laments

When questioned,
A professional fortysomething man
Spoke only of some 'devilry'
That had, somehow, 'got out of hand'

Horror became hearsay.
Solace sought in indignation.
'He'd brought it on himself' they said
His willing assignation.

It's tranquil here now
Urban regeneration and
Nature conservation
Have helped singe
The memory away

Twitchers stoop with cameras
Poised at the rivers edge
A Kingfisher swoops
To catch it's pray
And artist works on a sketch
On well maintained new pathways
Two lovers have room to roam
In the sinking of the spring sunshine
They embrace
And make their way back home.






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