One hot summer's day

I stroked out from the coral beach

To a high rock in the small bay

With intent to dive

Safely.

The pocked outcrop was easy to climb

From the water surface.

The tide was high

The sea like crystal

Visibility clear.

I raised myself on to the rock

And peered down

Deep to the bottom

As into a glass of water

And could not judge its depth.

But I did not worry -

The bottom was not my objective.

Just the thrill of the dive

The caress of the sea.

I leapt

Cutting the air

With unaccustomed skill.

I slid into the sea like a bullet

And shot cleanly

Pure of line

Fast

Deeper and deeper.

And still, the floor of rippled sand

Seemed to move away from me.

Finally I slowed

My heart pumping

Hard!

I glanced up - high - high

To the surface of the sea -

The sun-dancing mouth of the sea

And air.

Air!

I felt a surge of sickening panic

An overwhelming need to cry out

In fear

But my brain snapped harshly:

'Now, that would be stupid, wouldn't it?

But – if you stay calm

And keep your mouth shut -

You will rise.

The sea is saline – and bouncy - remember!

You will rise!

Not fast.

BUT YOU WILL RISE!'

 

So I smothered my panic

With a little prayer of thanks for sanity.

'Oh, God, be with me'

I turned and gave a wee kick

That started me up

My eyes fixed on the sparkling sunlight

So high above.

I trusted physics -

'SHE TRUSTED PHYSICS!'

I rose like a weed

In the arms of the salty water

And broke the surface

For air

And life.

 

I felt like - I was birthed from the sea -

Not with golden hair and budding breasts

Upon a sea shell 

But with purpose

Still to prove.

It was not an experience

Easily forgotten.

Cynthia Buell Thomas, March 17, 2018