The bright summer sunshine
Leads people far and near,
To head for the beaches
During this pleasant time of year.
Some beaches roll on
Spread with sand for miles around,
While others are rocky
With lots of seaweed to be found.
While swimming with a family
At the lake near our home,
The children showed displeasure
With the seaweed round their toes.
Their dad shared words of wisdom
With his precious little girls,
Describing quite poetically
The partially hidden underworld.
He said, "Seaweed is the carpet
That covers the lake's floor."
His little girls smiled brightly
And swam around some more.
Now their dislike of seaweed
Was newly perceived,
As a more comfortable image
I'm sure you can see.
Their dad's words of wisdom
Have lingered in my mind,
Reminding me how all of us
Are like branches on a vine.
The vision that father shared
In such a positive way,
Reassured his little girls
And added insight to my day.
May we all reflect life's beauty
By the things we say and do
And hold fast like the seaweed
To what is kind and good and true.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
© Viola Doncaster, August 15, 1996.

Inspired by young Bill & Louise Murphy and family
While swimming in the Bras d'Or Lake
At the end of Blarney Road, East Bay, CB, NS.

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