the child has it and knows
that it is precious
feels it in a pocket
warmed moist by a hand

walks all the way to the
end of the breakwater
spins it out among the gulls
it vanishes with a small plop

the child turns and walks
home with a full heart
knowing that the precious
is for always with the sea

buys an ice-cream and two chocolate-bars
misses the cracks on the pavement
scratches a puppy through fence-wire
kicks stones, kicks tin-cans