header image 2  
Poetry from within
   

Murder she Boat




Somebody said it would be an idea

To build a raft to go over the weir

Before we knew it we all had agreed

And started a list of what we would need

Oil drums,rope and a pallet or two

And as for oars we would have to make do

But help from a friend to bolster the cause

Saw him provide us with three pairs of oars

It didn’t take long to assemble the craft

We started to think we all must be daft

To trust this assembly of barrels and wood

To keep us afloat on the Leam was not good

So off to the river with raft and a flag

Before very long we all started to sag

This thing was heavy--as heavy as lead

If it turned turtle we could end up dead

With effort and pain we got our small boat

Into the water-- surprised it could float

Six of us boarded all ready to go

But sank to the bottom -- the water was low

So pushing our raft we got to the line

Once more we boarded and found it was fine

“Speeding “ along and keeping afloat

Proud of the raft called “Murder She Boat”

Crossing the weir was rather a pain

We had to stop to repair her again

But sturdy she was and raring to go

We went for the finish although really slow

Before we could finish -- another test yet

An ambushing crew who got us all wet

Bedraggled and soggy we finished the test

Happy to know that we’d given our best

We’d had loads of fun and helped raise some cash

Our flag was the only thing sporting a gash

So three cheers for us and also please note

A really game girl called “Murder She Boat”

Don Holmes


FootNote: I wrote this poem for my son and his workmates when they did a charity raft race
on the River Leam at Leamington Spa. For reasons known only to them they called
their raft "Murder She Boat "