Large Fierce Mammal

Inspired by a narrow channel of water that separates a local island from the mainland, and that is subject to remarkable reversals in current that may catch the traveller unawares, The Back Passage is a tragedy of sorts. As one more point of note, the actual Back Passage does lead to a Distinguishing Point, even if the poem doesn’t.

Up the Back Passage

By LFM

Once in my youth, I loosed my craft,
All proud of stem and stiff of keel,
To seek what joys and rare delights
The backmost passage might reveal.

My paddle’s thrusts made strong and true
My passage down the narrow way,
And no resistance felt I there
As slack tide spoke no word of nay.

Stronger, deeper, stroke by stroke,
I strove to run the passage through,
My muscles gleamed, my blood was up,
The climax of my voyage due!

But then the passage tightened round,
And left me striving helplessly,
Though stiff of stem, the ebbing tide
Now pushed me out most flaccidly.

‘Twas then I learned the tide’s consent —
It might be subject to repeal,
Rejecting all one’s manly strengths
In favour of a buggered deal.