Real Heroes

• Georgia Feltis, Grade 9, John Paul College
• Poetry
• 2007

3rd in the 'Calling All Poets 2007' competition

Panicking, losing breath,
Swallowed water, facing death,
It's just too much, only one more wave,
But one man's job,
My life to save,
But so much water, I had enough,
Plunging waves, current so rough,
I went under, hit the sand,
Hope was lost, I felt his hand,
He paddles strong, he has no fears,
I cough and splutter, hold back tears,
"Don't go yet, stay with us hun",
He pleads with me, "you are too young",
Drained and dizzy, my energy's zero,
But there is enough left to thank my hero,
They gather round, my friends and neighbours,
I owe my life to surf life savers.