Rowing Eight, Chiswick and Hammersmith

Am up at stupid o’clock today

river a big shiny mirror

Forget whatever else is in my way

Get in the boat, hardly say

a word, lost in that shimmer

Am a cog in the machine of today

Flesh of me, blade on blade that I lay

in water, cool as a mirror

Breath of me that makes a way

past bank and tree that stay

for a moment, pass in a shimmer

Make the together rhythm of today

By Robert Seatter

If you enjoyed this poem, take a look at the other Thames Path 30th Anniversary poems.

CHISWICK AND HAMMERSMITH

This stretch of the river is filled with rowing clubs and is of course a famous viewing point for the Oxford-Cambridge Boat Race. Rowing inspires a unique sense of camaraderie and togetherness.

Take a look at the Thames Path Blog - Where To Watch The Boat Race

CHISWICK

Situated on the north bank of the River Thames in West London, Chiswick was once a fishing village in Middlesex. It later became popular with the wealthy who built imposing riverside houses and was part of the suburban growth of London in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The southern border of Chiswick runs along the River Thames. It has a cosmopolitan High Street with independent shops and strong Georgian heritage.

HAMMERSMITH

Hammersmith is a district of West London bordered by Shepherd's Bush to the north, Kensington to the east, Chiswick to the west, and Fulham to the south, all on the north bank of the River Thames. Hammersmith Bridge, opened in 1827, was the first suspension bridge across the River Thames. Well known for its music venue, The Hammersmith Apollo, now known as Eventim Apollo and The Lyric Hammersmith, renowned for its diverse innovative theatre productions.