AT THE BEACH

Returning from the outback
in my rented kayak
by the shoals
we could not fail to notice
a boy is having a tantrum
along the Australian beach
of Byron Bay
where surfers reach out
on giant waves today,
yet complete strangers
under the strong sun
with sharp faces
reach to tell Samuel off
because of the way
he behaves
not telling him
of God's love
nor singing
a grace of a hymn
with thoughts
from up above
but they only speak
with harsh criticism
of the Pharisee
bashing his reason
for even being here
on the sand at this season
out of school
while sharing a hand full
and slew
of wrathful
swearing out
proud phrases
making him
feel more lost
and on trial
in disgrace
on a foolish path
ending in
Hell and perdition,
these ignorant,
uncaring souls
not knowing
as Christians
the old gospel
is to be told anew
to every Gentile or Jew
while here
without ambition
watching Samuel's
lonely human condition
he is not well in the sand lot
has a cold and cough
and they are
making him feel
like he is on
 hot coals
or as an ant
to the slaughter
now spotted
with a torn shirt
without a button on
but skirted
in this place
he does not smile
but hurts
under this hot sun
with his pale
lemony kite
lost in a sack
of sky
the crowd
telling him
that he has
a muddied life
and going to die
with not of much
a vacation
held only
by family strife
and having
only one ration
from a rack
of mutton
looking quite
the sight,
yet through
an eye gate
of a school teacher
once an
itinerant preacher
with his daughter Kate
who is
a lyrical poet
has understood
Sam's circumstance
and feed
as a brother mate
tending to
his flesh
by the miracle
of spirit
offering him
fresh salmon
and a cup
of mineral water
as good
forgiving Samaritans.