Instructions for a Stone Skipping Competition

Seek your stone:
flat and round.
Not too large,
not too heavy.
A stripe is snazzy
but not necessary.

When your name is called,
step to the water’s
glossy edge.
Wipe the sweat
from your skipping hand.

Clasp your stone.
Ask it, Are you ready?
Whisper, I will send you
F L Y I N G !
Then fling

your stone
strong and with spin.

Marvel-count
the skips.

Already you’ve won.
You’ve made a stone
bounce
on water.