"Cambridge Bumps"

Boatmen oared from time of yore,
Racing parallel to the path
While vagrant spectators shilly-shally on shore
Vacillating for viewing vantage.
Now the elite elect slice in unison,
Gay blades constricted in continuity
Chasing the prize in front
With stabbing contractions,
Cox crouched, crackling short commands
Echoed by cyclists sideline screech,
Sight distorting parallel tactics;
Raising the stakes, seeking to
Swipe, wipe out in watery wash,
Bump them off.

Fall in before Jesus; Distract! Distract!
You’ve fallen down before Him before,
Even made the splash of baptism.

Attack! Attack! I am weak, inept
So must lash out desperately
Seeking Your strength to claw back
Collective power
To salvage savagely.
I must feed off You
To equalise,
To paralyse.

In the final throes of inspired passion
Only love can combat the combatant.
Grace distends to heal the hole,
Mercy dismembers the whole soul.
Trinity now Holy,
Darwin redrawn;
Reconfigured in love.


Kittie Carr