An Enchanting Chance Encounter

Cycling in heavy rain, as I love to do,
Dipping down past the coal washery's flue,
When faint from out the old canal’s weeds
Came softest squeaking among tall-grown reeds.

Alighting, I drew more warily near
Wondering at what creature I could hear,
When stole out this otter on whose last cry
Up came her young breaking water close by.

Pacing half-breathed along watery shrubs,
Following downstream proud mother and cubs,
When sudden all three purling ripples in tow 
Were gone from view, slinking to depths below.