Simon Armitage
‘I am able to keep my mind steadily’
*

I am able to keep my mind steadily
on one job or plan as long as necessary.
Take, as an example, skimming.
Choose the right stone: not so much circular
but one that sits in that natural spanner
between thumb and trigger finger.
A pocket watch would be too perfect.

Pull!
Keep low. Follow through but leave the trailing arm
and lend that stone a certain r.p.m. of spin

so it kicks, sits up at the taste of water.
Count the fourth, fifth, sixth, whatever else
is extra. Walk home. Drop down
into a wider world.