Plish! Went one, chest first, into
The sandy muddle by the sea-
Singing loudly as it splashed
Into its joyous revelry.

Plosh! Boldly went the second with
No care for subtlety!
A cheered elation, a celebration
Within its spirit free.

But how the third deferred its entrance
To the huddle of the three!
It seemed to flit an extra bit
On its own pert melody.

  I thought: Cheeky, chirpy calling bird!
  Your rapture captures me.
  Now darting, dancing, aerial prancing?
  For all who care to see?

  What cause have you to sing so?
  How maps this rhapsody?
  What could so absurd a bird
  As to demonstrate such glee?

Pla-plash! Dancing done, it joined the fun
With the grandest entrance yet to be!

  And while they hopped and flapped and sang
  And water all about was flang
  I realized with aching pang

They knew more of life than me.