Today I Took a Walk Today I took a walk in the place where reeds still grow the last remaining visage of freedom from the hoe and there I heard the birds impart to all in reach amid their caroled love songs defiance each to each and in this earthy humour there was no sound of fear and the beauty of their truth still lingers in my ear. Today I took a walk on a private little beach a favourite place I go to escape the human reach and there I heard the mermaids sing a song of pure delight above the pounding surf with words that seemed so right and though the spray was flicking and the wind was at my back out beyond the breakers the sea was calm and flat. Today I took a walk where the reeds no longer grow and in their place stand statues in row on row on row and as I stood and listened a lament grew in my mind for missing birds and mermaids and the purpose of my kind then through an open window a gentle song did float a guitar was strumming under words from a well-tuned throat. Copyright © Henry Bateman 2000