Gregory Richard Barden Poet Rhyme

Notes About The Poem

little sandpiper

       little piper, little piper
   oh how fast you skip away
 as the morning tide crawls in to taste the beach
briny swishes bring your breakfast
 while you prance to greet the day
   and they never seem to wet you
       like you're privy to a chosen course of each

little piper, little piper
   such a ballet you perform
      when you twirl and pirouette your dainty feet
       darting in-and-out the sea foam
      just to keep them dry and warm
   all with perfect form and motion
so as not to warn those little things you eat

       little piper, little piper
   you're the bane of every clam
 watching closely for their bubbles in the sand
oh, the hermit crabs are missing
 each-and-each now on the lam
   and the hot sand gently hissing
       as you try to sate your hungry chick's demand

little piper, little piper
   all day long your work persists
      as your tummy and your wee one both are fed
       so with food enough to sleep on
      'midst the creeping twilight mists
   and as purple shadows deepen
comes the time to sing your little one to bed

       little piper, now you dance in dreams ... instead.

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Hilda Greenhough August 11, 2025 at 3:20 PM I love this imagery. It's fascinating. I think I love little piper too. Thanks for sharing your words.

John Fleming July 27, 2025 at 4:17 PM I remember as a young lad fishing numerous Lochs, rivers and burns in Bonny Scotland, those darting pipers that suddenly appeared...and would just as suddenly dart off up along the banks. Lovely little birds. Enjoyed your poem, Greg. :) john