Seapowrimo

I thought I knew how to swim
Until I found out I didn't
In the middle of the sea
Surrounded by Greek Islands

On our honeymoon. Sort of.
2 years after we got hitched
My sensible half and I
Hopped onto a chic ferry

To see hot springs off the coast
of Mykonos. Only it
stops Mid ocean. the skipper
says jump off, swim to the springs.

Well. No life jackets in sight.
Bronzed bodies leap like dolohins
into the ocean Laughing,
The prudent half is prudent

With no illusions about
his swimming skills, unlike me.
I am not leaving without
seeing the promised springs

I strike out, only the sea
Seems to go on forever
The water stays green My arms
are tiring. I'm gasping

Then I start seeing shadows
of brown beneath and i think
God. Land. I can touch the ground
And I try. Only I can't.

Now I panic.  Headlines flash.
"Young lady drowns while reaching
out for eternal hot springs."
I notice a man treading

water like he lives at sea.
I make my way up to him
Instead of shouting "Help Me!"
I say with all the decorum

possible to muster while
trying not to drown : "scuse me
sir. I'm having some trouble.
May I hold on to you please"

He nods, puzzled at the kind
of trouble I'm having since
I obviously have no
trouble speaking in complete

sentences even if they
come out a bit breathless-
I hold on to his arm for
five seconds while i scan the

sea for something friendlier
To hold on to.  i spot it
A small rock that looks sturdy.
I strike out again. This time

I find the rock, clamour on and
stand there for a full minute.
Shivering in cold. Also
Realising my folly

In taking on the Greek seas
without knowing how to swim.
Realising I can't swim!
Dreading that I must go back.

I crawl up to the hot springs
I sit in them forlonly
For five minutes. I made it.
Yeah whatever. Now focus.

I take a deep breath and start
for the ferry, arms flailing.
I float on my back to rest
then I swing wildly again

I spy the romantic half
Snapping photographs of me
I'd have yelled if i could have.
This is NOT sexy swimming

I make it back. Cannot speak.
Shivering again. He says
"Where is your wedding ring, love?"
Stare at him I announce

"I nearly died!"

I had paid the sea my ring
in return for life, thank you.
Back home i start lessons in
Swimming. if not now then when?

On trying days i tell myself
I took on the Greek ocean
without knowing how to swim...
I can do just anything!