Impressions From a Stone Skipped On Water

He grabbed me up from where I lay, peaceful in the sun, 
with my brothers and my sisters round about me. 
I felt four digits seeming to be one of a whole, 
which clasped around my form. 
A fifth one, slightly broader, pressed onto me from my other side. 
And then with a jolt, I found myself next lifted high into air, 
the dry hot bed beneath me but a whisper of my past.

Accustomed, at the most, to being trodden upon, 
I barely had the time to assimilate this rare experience 
(I seemed to remember a sweeter touch long ago 
from a smaller being who had picked me up, 
examined me and then placed me back on the ground).  
Suddenly, I was moving, this time unsupported, through the air.

I spied in a single spinning moment 
a world I’d not envisioned from the spot on earth 
I'd shared with pebble siblings. 
In that place, we were surrounded 
by greenery that blocked our view 
and by giant old gray boulders, my ancestors perhaps.  
Reposing heavily as if attached to land,
 one such silent sentry supported him, 
the creature who had flung me far from my home.

I found myself then bump, bump, bumping along, 
making little rings across a shiny stretch of blue.  
And when I lost momentum, 
I disappeared beneath the final circle I’d created.  
It felt much like the times I had been buried in cold whiteness, 
but this instead was liquid cool!  
I dropped down and down, 
onto a different kind of ground, unusually soft and sticky,
 the way earth used to feel for me after a sudden  downpour.  

Settled there, I noticed brown and silver shapes 
that flitted past above me, much smaller 
than many of the creatures of the land above me, but swifter.
Also there were tall green blades that swayed in place.
They resembled those that stood on solid ground.  
Best of all, I saw around me others of my kind; 
a multitude of us, small, beautiful and round, 
with whom to share my soft new cozy bed!
Copyright © | Year Posted 2017

Poem

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Ashley Avatar
October 1, 2025 at 7:05 AM
Dear Andrea, I adore being 'immersed' in the captivating observations and intimate thoughts of your personified "stone skipped on water". Beautifully created from your wonderful imagination and the finesse of your golden pen. Fantastic! Congratulations for your success in Mark's contest. Warmest wishes, my poet friend.. ~Susan
Dietrich Avatar
October 1, 2025 at 3:51 PM
Thanks for checking it out.
Cornish Avatar
September 26, 2025 at 6:54 AM
Andrea - love this perceptive personification and, being a rock skipper, can "be the rock"! There are actually international stone skipping competitions. Love what you've written here and make one happy for that stone's acceptance in an artful kind of way!
Toney Avatar
September 26, 2025 at 6:51 AM
Andrea, this is such a creative write! Love the happy ending. :-) A Fav poem for me. Congratulations on your top 10 win on Mile 18 of my 2025 Poetry Marathon Contest. Keep your running shoes on, because Mile 19 has already started.
Roper Avatar
December 30, 2021 at 8:23 PM
Great write, Andrea, love the setting and the mood of the whole verse. Happy New Year with prayers answered and resolutions accomplished.
Gauthier Avatar
April 17, 2018 at 12:19 AM
Wow - a FAVE - unbelievable how well you thought this through in detail. Beautifully penned, Andrea. A real beauty.
Duncan Avatar
July 29, 2017 at 1:15 PM
Awesome write :) favs
Inman Avatar
July 3, 2017 at 10:48 AM
Loved this Andrea, initially it sounded quite sensual then you brought the stone to life. A great write.
Marcum Wong Avatar
July 2, 2017 at 5:10 PM
You really became one with the little stone Andrea in this imaginative creative piece. I can tell you put much thought into this one and I hope to see it a top winner my friend! : )
Callus Avatar
June 27, 2017 at 4:58 PM
This is lovely, creative and imaginative, Andrea. Lucky pebble...you sure gave it life! Regards // paul
Nusker Avatar
June 26, 2017 at 11:35 PM
This is such a creative writing and so out of the box. Fabulous poem. Andrea, thanks a lot for the soupy and helping me out.
Daniel Avatar
June 26, 2017 at 10:53 PM
As for my poem, "So, what's new?" I wanted to see if I can pack my feelings in such a small write, and the syllable count - I've always tried to restrict myself to some syllable count, this time I thought, why not try a big line followed by a smaller one, somehow makes it rhythmic:)
Daniel Avatar
June 26, 2017 at 10:49 PM
Now who would have thought of writing from a pebble's perspective?? Very unique and imaginative, Andrea, beautiful too:)
May Avatar
June 26, 2017 at 10:18 PM
Very creative write Andrea, and all within a stone's throw..Well written..
Walker Avatar
June 26, 2017 at 4:14 PM
Artist of imagery. Great poem from a stones point of view.
Smith Avatar
June 26, 2017 at 12:40 PM
I love it Andrea. Great imagery throughout
Kannan Avatar
June 26, 2017 at 7:41 AM
What a beautiful imagery!It's so unique... Excellent descriptions Andrea...Good luck with the contest....
Allison Avatar
June 26, 2017 at 5:56 AM
WOW!:-) hugs Jan xx
Andresen Avatar
June 26, 2017 at 4:09 AM
- Andrea, a incredible poem ! - Luck in the contest - hugs // Anne-Lise :)
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