Beyond the bridge,
Looking toward Sheppey - the new bridge
This green and yellow island,
A barrier, landing place,
Eroding, fossilized mud,
Haven for avian migrants,
And jailbirds of another kind,
Protects the lowlands creeked
Beyond the Swale, that channel,
Highway for barge and Viking ship;
A rich Saxon legacy, sings a song
Waiting for me to embrace it.
So, I forgive the grey - green waters
And embrace this jewel, linked
By a silver arc cutting the sky
Gracefully as a bird to its roost.
This green and yellow island,
Linked to maritime might,
A small, untidy fortress, failed
When the Dutch sailed past
Wrecked the Medway fleet,
And stole Queenborough sheep;
Late ere Nelson made his play
His Victory won in Trafalgar bay,
Ferry boatmen plied their trade,
From Faversham, Oare and Harty
Pulled across the murky Swale,
Now bridged twice, conveniently,
By road, and once by rail,
Lest the concrete arc should fail.