William Stafford

Here you will find the Poem With Kit, Age 7, at the Beach (audio only) of poet William Stafford

With Kit, Age 7, at the Beach (audio only)

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.