Support 110 years of independent journalism.

  1. Culture
  2. Poetry
8 December 2021

The NS Poem: The Path

A new poem by Will Eaves.

By Will Eaves

On the far side of the high bridge
stands a clump of willows
losing leaves
in the blank November lamplight.
The morning is all angles and degrees
like the coots practising lift-off
in their quarter of the pond
or the willows stopped
by nothing in the act of falling.
Two dark moons of mistletoe
in the treetops
lend themselves to the air of observation
and habit below:
half-inflated swans seeing off dogs,
a pair of crows discussing their arthritis,
people carried round the park
on a thin grey carousel.
Last leaves stencil the white horizon
with waders’ feet
and the bridge is behind me.

Will Eaves is the author of five novels, two books of poetry and, most recently, a book of essays, “Broken Consort” (CB Editions)

Select and enter your email address Your weekly guide to the best writing on ideas, politics, books and culture every Saturday - from the New Statesman. The New Statesman's quick and essential guide to the news and politics of the day. Stay up to date with NS events, subscription offers & updates. Weekly analysis of the shift to a new economy from the New Statesman's Spotlight on Policy team.
  • Administration / Office
  • Arts and Culture
  • Board Member
  • Business / Corporate Services
  • Client / Customer Services
  • Communications
  • Construction, Works, Engineering
  • Education, Curriculum and Teaching
  • Environment, Conservation and NRM
  • Facility / Grounds Management and Maintenance
  • Finance Management
  • Health - Medical and Nursing Management
  • HR, Training and Organisational Development
  • Information and Communications Technology
  • Information Services, Statistics, Records, Archives
  • Infrastructure Management - Transport, Utilities
  • Legal Officers and Practitioners
  • Librarians and Library Management
  • Management
  • Marketing
  • OH&S, Risk Management
  • Operations Management
  • Planning, Policy, Strategy
  • Printing, Design, Publishing, Web
  • Projects, Programs and Advisors
  • Property, Assets and Fleet Management
  • Public Relations and Media
  • Purchasing and Procurement
  • Quality Management
  • Science and Technical Research and Development
  • Security and Law Enforcement
  • Service Delivery
  • Sport and Recreation
  • Travel, Accommodation, Tourism
  • Wellbeing, Community / Social Services
Visit our privacy Policy for more information about our services, how New Statesman Media Group may use, process and share your personal data, including information on your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications.
THANK YOU

This article appears in the 09 Dec 2021 issue of the New Statesman, Christmas Special