pia's white dress

every morning mama washes
pia's white dress clean;
then she wears it to the sea.
the sands colour it golden,
on a cloudy day, the sea makes it grey
and just when she is leaving for home
the coconut palms fringe it green.

every morning mama washes
pia's white dress clean;
then she wears it to the sea.
the corals colour it pink, sometimes fawn,
often blue
and the jelly fish leaves purple lights on it too.
The sandy crabs leave little claw marks.
and the yellow and black fish
frill the edge with their little stripes.

this morning when mama went to wash
pia's white dress clean;
it took her a little longer than usual
she had to wash off the bird song,
and the roar of the waves.
the sound of the wind and the sound of the rain.
then the butterflies had left myriad hues.

every morning mama washes
pia's white dress clean;
then she wears it to the sea.