Neptune and I we met

by the seashore today

and spoke of little things

though really big to me.

He soon had me laughing as

he never stopped trying

to play with me.

Like the little boy who rubbed

sand in circles on his fat belly.

I said see how strong I am

as I surfed my body on his waves.

He said come a little further out

where my waves can measure

up to you.

He led me a chase further

and further out

until I could feel his roots

deep below my feet.

Humbled I swam back in

to the shore and watched

a young girl play

with the little waves

that scared her.

I swam out again to the bigger waves

where I showed him what

a rock I was

and he laughed as he showed me

how many rocks he'd worn to sand.

'Mortals! ' He said, 'Pah! They

think they are steadfast!'

And he laughed that rough old man

as his waves ran out to white pearls

of foam for the girl to play with.

'Caught you not lookin' he said

as his wave caught me

a hammer blow to the side.

I walked back

the little fish darting

round my ankles.

And sat on the sand

with the other worn rocks

my edges smoothed from talking

with the rough loving old artist.