Over my toes

A superb evening, the sun dropping into a scintillating sea that lapped on to the beach in molten gold and silver coils. 
Late holidaying families were taking advantage of unexpectedly balmy weather with picnics and barbecues. Young children were running in and out of the sea and frisking across the warm sand.

We stopped to watch this small boy (not known to us) who was deeply engrossed in some private fantasy concerning a lump of seaweed. Over and over he placed it in the water and waited for the surf to roll it back towards him, all the while doing something with his hands and chanting words known only to him. He was so engrossed by the repeated procedure that he didn't  notice us watching him. 

Over my toes
goes
the soft sea wash
see the sea wash
the soft sand slip
see the sea slip
the soft sand slide
see the sea slide
the soft sand slap
see the sea slap
the soft sand wash
over my toes.

Michael Rosen