I like this poem because it is so simply and uninhibitedly visionary. It rushes into the sort of dream country most adult poets are afraid of, mixes up abstract and concrete nouns with cheerful abandon, is ambitious beyond its writer’s ability to spell (“scissers”, “pownding”), and is propelled by a terrific choppy rhythm. It reminds me of Coleridge’s “Kubla Khan” - both in its scope, and in the way it seems to be about the process of writing, taking the “paper boat” out into the sea of dreams.
THERE IS A GREAT RIVER
There is a great river beyond Mars.
It carries the milky way water beyond dreams.
My boat crashed like paper against scissers.
And trees on the bank are stuck there laughing.
The trees on the bank are stuck there in happiness.
They reach into the paper like water, The crashed water is sweeped along by the pownding current.
And above the river are dark dead storm clouds.
The four seasons are dark dead storm clouds.
The leaves settle on the broken floor, And I mend my crashed boat with glue and scissers.
There is a great river beyond Mars.
WILLIAM ROSE
William Rose, aged 10, receives Two’s Company by Jackie Kay (Puffin). Submitted by Mr R Hawkins of Broomgrove Junior School, Essex, who receives a set of Poetry Society posters with teachers’ notes. For Poetry Society events, ring 0171 240 2133.
