Bargaining.
Sunny boats clutter the bay.
Storm-beaten seagulls shriek shored lament.
Windless now calm covers the distance
between shore and ship in misty-grey haze
as she, dressed in Sunday-best
waves to the horizon with young insistence.
Innocence kicking the sand.
Troubled girl praying as men haul in vessels.
Tide now laps quiet on harbour walls
after bargaining pleas for Pa\'s safe landing
means she in a foam-soaked dress
can damply grin welcome to him she adores.
Do storms of indifference change
when children\'s trust calls to heaven in faith ?