Small boats were meant for pleasure
Dipping and diving in summer streams
Larking about on rivers and canals
Laughter skipping cross the banks
Not inflatable dinghies with too many bodies
Rising and falling in deep Channel water
In the sweat stink of fear
Children were meant for lightness and hope
Street corner playing with siblings and cousins
Growing and loving and learning
And dreaming of castles in the warm air
Not clinging to the side of a dinghy
Seeing their parents grow greyer and older
Softly slipping and splashing hands last to go
Under the water
We were all meant for goodness
Born bloodied and crying, arms waving, eyes opening
Ready to fight and to love and to think
Not distanced and demonized
Each one apart in their fear of another
We can do better, reach into ourselves and
Welcome the children pull them from the waves.