Calm Waves & Burning Sand

• Kayla Moustafa, Grade 9, Bossley Park High School
• Poetry
• 2014

Excellence Award in the 'The Text Generation 2014' competition

I remember being half-awake, drifting in and out of a slumber
that was gently lulled by the waves
and the calm breeze that tickled the back of my neck.

I peered through my sunglasses
To see surfboards gliding across the water
And my sister slipping out of her blow up ring

Panic rushed through my family
We jumped and ran and swam and drew attention
To the little girls body flailing through the waves

"We've got her" a lifeguard called
But when I saw my sister crying, still in shock
From her fearful experience

I took off my rose-colored sunglasses
And saw merciless waves, and a bottomless pit of water
I never saw the ocean the same way after that day