The painting for Paul Brookes’ challenge I have chosen is Ponton de pêche by Terry Chipp.

Ambitions

They wade out from the river bank,
picturesque cabanes, gaily painted,
unheated dens, their little boys’ forts
with drawbridge against invaders and
private notices stuck on the track.

They perch above the floodwaters,
squat herons,
fisher kings of the water,
trawling the mud for catfish
and other bottom feeders.

Sheds on stilts, worth more
than city centre stone
to those who would be gods,
enthroned,
the river at their feet.