Arrival before dawn

 The three childrens paddled their way through the dark
Approaching the yellow dim lit dock
Navigating through a narrow inlet 
A distant harbor bell rings

The dark water below surges
Shimmering with the dock lamplight
The older child paddles from the back
The youngest paddles from the middle

The middle child rows firmly fromt he front
The narrow boat approaches the deck
The oldest child grabs the upright
tying the knot on quickly as the boat jerks

He jumps onto the quay deck
The middle child lifts the younger up
The oldest helps him onto the wood
The middle child takes the older child's hand and swings up