Swimming With Fins

• Sariek Bongers, Grade 7, Rehoboth Christian School -
• Poetry
• 2019

Excellence Award in the 'Inspired 2019' competition

I stood there, watching the surf. A seagull crowed and pecked at the turf.
I waddled out, away from shore and jumped on my boogie board.
The water felt cool on my hot skin, the ocean enticing me to jump in.
I saw a big wave come towards me. When I rode waves I felt free.
I almost fell off but stood my ground, then I saw a fin circling around.
I didn’t know whether to swim to shore, I wanted to stay there no more.
Then with a splash, it rose, and out of the water came a nose.
First a snout, then a head. Its skin was the colour of lead.
I realised it wasn’t a shark, but its eyes had a mischievous spark.
It leapt out of the sea and I knew for sure, it wanted to play with me more.
I played with it for the rest of the day, then I had to head back to the bay.
I said goodbye to my new friend, more time with me it wanted to spend.
I went home with a heavy heart, thinking that they are killed for art.
From then on I promised I would save them as much as I could.
Swimming with my dolphin friend,
Swimming with Fins.