March 19, 2009

With Kit, Age 7, At the Beach

We would climb the highest dune,
from there to gaze and come down:
the ocean was performing;
we contributed our climb.

Waves leapfrogged and came
straight out of the storm.
What should our gaze mean?
Kit waited for me to decide.

Standing on such a hill,
what would you tell your child?
That was an absolute vista.
Those waves raced far, and cold.

"How far could you swim, Daddy,
in such a storm?"
"As far as was needed," I said,
and as I talked, I swam.

~William Stafford

3 comments:

K said...

This one is posted for Joe, this morning. Darling, you know exactly who showed it to me. I love you.

Cecelia (CC) said...

Is it your anniversary? I recall the mountains but not the season. What a gorgeous poem. Thank you.

CC

K said...

The mountains but not the season. Oh, I LOVE having you here! We had a summer wedding. I just posted the poem because, well, that is how my children are parented by my husband. Just like that.

And William Stafford? Da Bomb.