Tidal, Teddington

Years to learn your language –

this going, going, going,

this turning, turning, turning

A constant conjugation of a verb

with changeable tenses – grasp them,

how to grasp them

A translation in different weathers

of something indefinable – exactness

always failing

And on some days a handful of words

flung in the deep

to watch how they sink or float

or change colour - and never

the blue imagined or maybe a blue

with every colour inside it

Then years later, to sit on the bank

and let feeling tell you

what was really important, after all –

this flowing, flowing, flowing

By Robert Seatter

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

TEDDINGTON

The Thames changes its character and movement at Teddington – becoming tidal.

Teddington is a suburb of Richmond. It is at Teddington and it is here that the tidal river starts and the first lock, Teddington Lock and weir, was constructed in 1811. In 1889 Teddington Lock Footbridge was built ( a suspension bridge), linking Teddington to Ham. There are three locks that separate the tidal river from the non-tidal river and it is the largest lock complex on the Thames. The Thames plays an important part in the life of Teddington stretching from Hampton Wick to Strawberry Hill, Twickenham. The high street runs from the river to Bushey Park.