Richmond Bridge
 

White rock rainbow,
Soaring over the turbulent Thames,
Dipping your slimy, stony feet,
Into the rushing ribbon below.

Encumbered by traffic,
Competing for squashed space,
Hurrying to wherever next?
Unperturbed, you stand, taking it.

Carriage is your business,
Aloof with arched strength,
Wading in wild water,
Letting boats slip through.

Taken for granted, perhaps,
Star-crossed, familiar,
Yet, bank to bank, indispensable.
You don't pay the ferryman.