River Tees Poem by Alan Sandham

See the rushing shining water,
See the flowing River Tees,
From the hills and farmlands yonder
All the way down to the sea;

See the Sunday families gather
Children buzzing at their feet,
See the foaming water plather,
Blowing coastward with the breeze;

See that ornate bridge and Barrage
Control the River's tidal flow,
Bridge for foot, for bike, for baby-carriage,
Policed by cormorant, seal, and crow;

See White Water competitions,
Olympic standard, don't you know?
See bold canoeists in their missions
To seize the tide or let it go;

See the gulls that plough the river,
Diving for fishes shoaling by,
See the trees and bushes bend and quiver,
Hear the bursting River's cry:

See me in my rush, my passing,
Remember too that we are kin,
I am a part of Teesside passion,
Steel River's where Teesside begins.