And, above all else, here I say to the lady that has carried us together;

She who has lifted, dropped, and turned us;
Who has swelled and toyed and slapped us clean in the face;
Over and over again.

Here, I say, to our greatest allay, our greatest friend, The Sea.

Since Spring we waited, cool and damp;
Since Spring we sat, breathe abated, tongue a-coiled.
Now summer’s here, she’s flushed spring up,
Her freshness flown for a blanket heat.
All bellow its yellow warmth hath blushed;
Not least our fledgling, creeping, fruiting plant.
The first rouged hint of sweetness did colour today!
Not once, but twice! On nearly midsummer’s day!