Winton Night Walks

At night along the canals 
Dad was best. 
Beside narrow dusty tractor roads 
Slow dark waters, 
Destined for some distant orchard, 
Reflected a boundless sky, 
Making it look like a 
River of universe 
Rather than water. 
With a bug-frog band accompaniment 
Dad would take 
The dancing darkness, 
Lying thickly in the peach and 
Almond orchards to the side, 
And masterfully mold it, 
Shaping it skillfully 
Into a reliable raft, 
Then sail us 
To the heavens.