Reggatta des Blancs

The Flaneur to his delight 

chanced upon the sprawling 

Southwest Regional Masters Regatta 

a rowing competition 

1.

Saturday

The Lead-in

In search of some green grass,

in search of some shade

 Odd equipage in evidence today

Long boats are coming to Oakland

 On the salt-water estuary

we call a lake

 It's like a festival

a floating village

of white people

 Today's a day of leisurely rowing

 Graft produced

 Marvelous views for some people

no doubt

 There's a full deck now

with a child as caller

They don't mean me

of course

 RAY of FAIRYLAND

'at's me

 

 See you tomorrow,

good people

gliding under the trees

 A brief stay at the bus stop

before my ride arrives

 2.

Sunday

The Competition

 Where it all takes place

 

  Is called where it's at

 In the realm of the shorebird

 It all happens out there

 I caught an exuberant contact buzz

 The men strike you as straight

and are rather restrained

 The gals seem sapphic

and demonstrative

 The sporting life

 Serious portage goes on

all around

 I'm retracing my steps

back out of the park

Hats off to all

the healthy and the strong

23-24 July 2016