Such stones exist for skipping from the shore
which shaped them by its rough and gentle tide,
where form and polish build to this rapport
a father and his son stand side by side.
They search among the millions for one stone,
perfection, or as near as it can be.
The father notes how fast the boy has grown;
the son is lost in searching reverie.
Then suddenly the perfect stone appears.
The father picks it up; the son approves
the smoothness of a thousand smoothing years,
and with a fluid fling, how swift it moves.
Three skips create their ripples with each kiss;
the stone slips back into the blue abyss.
[Original draft]
Such stones exist for skipping from the shore
Which shaped them by its rough and gentle tide,
Where form and polish build to this rapport–
A father and his son stand side by side.
They search among the millions for one stone,
Perfection, or as near as it can be.
The father notes how fast the boy has grown.
The son is lost in searching reverie.
And suddenly the perfect stone appears,
Found by the father, but the son approves
The smoothness of a thousand smoothing years,
And with a fluid fling, how swift it moves,
Three skips creating ripples with its kiss,
Then sinks into the crystal blue abyss.