Once Upon A Time

Once upon a time, 

I floated off somewhere to another land

and saw my Granny feeding ducks

and all around the pear trees grew

and everywhere I was looking through

windows in the shrubbery

and I saw paths winding,

as far as I could see.

 

And across the fields, there was the sea

and surprisingly,

ships were lined-up across the broad horizon

and the tide was in.

So I know

ships were rising,

because it is true:

A rising tide raises all ships.

 

But there were no ducks upon the sea,

as they were on the garden path

following me,

and quacking with a joy to see,

happy ducks and happy me.

 

Life is blessed with Simplicity.

There is no need to change the plan.

But when waiting patiently,

all will come to be resolved

and babies grow, becoming old,

and all there is will one day be

all we need to cross the seas.

 

An now I sit underneath the trees,

feeding pears to the ducks with me.

 

(Written July 23, 2025)

Photo by BP: Ethel Spowers, linocut,

Overtures, 1926 (1890-1947 Australian Artist)