White Rock
By a Little Pebble
Florence Griffin
1921

This poem, actually composed by Florence Griffin, was third to appear in the souvenir programs that celebrated the dedication of the Peace Arch September 6, 1921. From the Peace Arch, White Rock is but a two-mile leisurely walk along the sandy beach. The large white rock is still there.

“I want to go sailing,” said White Rock,
“Sailing over the sea.”
“Rocks can’t sail,” said his mother,
“You had better stay with me.”

“I’ve seen rocks sailing,” said White Rock,
“I watch them every day.”
“Those are but Whitecaps dancing
Merrily out in the bay.”

“Stay on the mountain,” said his mother,
“This is the proper place.
Rocks that lie by the seaside
Are rocks that have fallen from grace.”

“But I will go sailing,” said White Rock,
And he rolled away from her door.
Alas! Alack! Poor White Rock,
Stuck fast in the sand on the shore.

He cannot go back to the mountains;
He cannot sail out on the sea
Now this is the tale of White Rock,
As Old Kulshan told it to me.