A Walk On the Beach
The sun had been shining brightly on a windless day
With diamonds sparkling on the sea in the bay.
A paradise holiday, for my children and me
Away from the grind of drudgery
Suddenly the water receded, the tide went out
Stranded fish lay gasping, flopping about
Mommy. Quick. Come and look
The sea’s gone.
The poor fish are going to perish
We must put them back in the sea
Come and help me.
My little girl of five
Enthusiastic and wide eyed
Carried the wriggling fish
My boy of eight
Was less concerned about the fish’s fate.
Then a roar, a massive wave crashing
To the shore. Water smashing
Whirling, dragging us along.
Swirling past hut and tree
Tumbling with debris.
In the surging frothing foam
Trying to hold together as one
We caught the branches of a tree
Ripping clothes, drawing blood
Fighting against the fury of the flood
I gripped them, held them tight
Nails biting into flesh.
A useless battle against the surging might
I cannot not hold them both
One has to go
To a fate I might never know
I love them both
How can I choose?
I am hell bent to hold them both
With all my strength
Too weak
Oh No. God No.
I let him go
With an anguished shriek
For he was older, stronger
And will survive longer
He swept away with a fearful cry
“Please Mommy don’t let me die”
Copyright © Patrick Maitland | Year Posted 2012
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