CROSBY

We crunch through razor shells and squelch through

blackish silt – there is coal in the drenched sand –

to reach the artist’s cast iron avatars.

They are steadfast against anglers, vandals,

local Tories, jet skiers, the Coastguard,

and the RSPB – but not the wind

or the sea. Some are rusting deeply,

some barnacled already, some sinking

or rising – others missing on this

shifty shore. They have watched the North Sea.

Now, from here, they can see Snowdonia,

The Skerries, Queenstown, the New World –

and, some, when the tide is in, sea creatures

in their wilderness of oblivion.

Above, ships pass and the wind farm turns.

anglersartistavatarsblackishcast ironcoalCoastguardCrosbyjet skiersmissingNorth SeaoblivionQueenstownrazor shellsrisingRSPBrusting barnacledseasea creaturesshiftyshipsshoresiltsinkingSnowdoniasteadfastthe New WorldThe SkerriesToriesvandalswildernesswindwind farm