Gift From Burnham Copyright © 2008 Fraser Harrison

Gull gives the wind its cry
    to grieve,
river gives the sea its mouth
    to flood,
sea gives the marsh its salt
    to feed,
moon gives the creek its tide
    to drown.

Man gives woman his lip
    to kiss,    
she gives the babe her breast
    for life,
man gives woman his lip
to lie,
she gives the child her heart
    to keep.

Grass gives the dune its root
    to cling,
sail gives the breeze a sheet
    to wind,
mud gives the marsh its thrift
    to bloom,
flint gives the foot a blade
    to cut.

Your gift, gift of the gods, is for giving
    and forgiving.
Light and life, as the sun gives, you give
    To me.