'To The Man On Tenby Beach' Poem by Trevor Valentine

To the 30+ year old man who bawled at his 10 year old son for 2+ minutes out loud on the beach and then slapped him round the head, hard. His only 'crime' was to inadvertently trip over his baby sister.

'Sir, you will probably never ever get to see this message, but my blood boiled and my heart sank to see what you did to your very own blessed son today. You will never read this, but another father tempted to do the same, just might, so I will try to explain to you, the error of your ways.

You see, sir, there is only one thing left after 'beatings' - and that, sir, is 'double-beatings' - and neither of them have any merits or bear any fruit. They just evaporate any self-belief and confidence in a growing spirit that you, sir, are breaking, bit by bit by bit with every word you shout and every hand you raise.

And unfortunately, in your case, you will no doubt be surprised (and saddened)to see, in not so many fast speeding years, that same son, beat his own son, your cherished grandson.

And you will hang your head in sorrow and shame. For it will be too late.

Your sorry circle will be complete.'