Skipping Stones

A casual walk along a rivers edge abandoned,
as a youthful reflex action takes its hold.
The body by the consciousness of time is caught in
genuflection, with reaching arm and searching hand.
An aging mind admonishes this coaxing out of child,
and reproach retrieves the posture proper to the years.

But as the stroll resumes that unrelenting urge prevails,
granting hand to search again and seize that most
suitable to satisfy this surge of youth.
Searching fingers feel among the river rocks,
until is found that particular of shape and size.

Tucked between first finger and the thumb the catapult is
cocked as knees bend slightly to provide that just right angle.
Now hand comes 'round in side-arm fashion 'til is
reached the point selected for release.

Set free the stone streaks in direction of midstream,
to slice the waiting water.
Leaping in the air and falling back to bounce across the rivers surface
several times before ricocheting to a final rest upon far shore.

A moment spent to savor this success, the
stroll continues with a smile in the knowledge that
the boyhood skill of skipping stones endures still.