Not any rock will do.
It takes a layered slate or limestone,
A piece with flattened sides
That lies smoothly in your hand,
Then a careful cock of wrist
And a twisting flip, just so.
Done right, the stone will skim
Along the surface,
Bouncing like a tossed ball;
Wrong, or timidly,
It drops into the water like
A stopped clock.
As with so many other stunts,
This one needs a steady grip,
A practiced skill, and confidence.
With them you can chunk a rock
Across a pond; without them,
Just kerplunk.
