With Kit, Age 7, at the Beach

by William Stafford

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.

The 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.