This Life by William Stafford
With Kit, Age 7, at the Beach
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. Those 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.
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