The boy walked along the ocean shore...trying not to stray.
He looked up to his father saying, "Dad, I want to play."
His father looked upon him with love showing in his eyes.
"Do what you want, my son...but do not leave my side."
"I would never leave you, daddy, I love you way too much."
But the boy took a step away, out of his father's touch.
He walked through the surf, the waves tickling one toe.
"If I take one more step in.." he thought, "Father will never know."

His father called out to him, "Son, to me remain true."
The boy thought with glee..."At the moment, I don't need you."
His father felt a sadness, but he knew to hold his tongue.
Sometimes lessons need be learned...even when so young.
The boy stepped a little further...water covering his waist.
His father spoke with urgency...his father spoke with haste.
"My Son, come back to me," he said, "The day is almost done."
"Not yet, dad," the boy yelled, "I'm having too much fun!"
But the boy did not have his father's sight...and so he could not tell...
The tide was coming in too fast...there was little time to yell.
"Father!", now he tried to scream as waters rushed overhead.
"I need you now daddy!" was what the boy had said.
And in a single instant, his father was by his side.
"I thought you left me, daddy...I thought you went to hide."
The father looked upon his son...tears streaming down his cheek.
The boy looked upon his father, and sobbed, contrite and meek.
"I would never leave you son...for my love will never change.
I was only waiting...for you to call upon my name."

~~~~~ Jordan Bangs

Painting by Danny Hahlbohm
Used with permission.

E-mail Eve