With my arms crossed
on the windowsill
I rested my chin
and sat very still
as I watched a lizard
two inches away
and told him how badly
I wanted to play.
The sun was shining,
birds frolicked about
but my Aunt had just moved
we were there, helping out.
She’d moved to the bay,
there were no kids around,
just a dock and a seawall
were all that I’d found.
So I stared out the window
and wished to go home,
fixed on the seawall
and seawater foam.
Abruptly, a noise broke me
out of my spell.
I should have been helping
so it was just as well.
As I turned I saw
my mom standing there
a net in her hand
and paint in her hair.
She asked me a favor
as she passed me the net
“Go to the dock
and see what you can get”.
I danced about wildly
then jumped to the floor;
I hugged my mom “bear style”
and ran out the door.
I reached the dock quickly
then tiptoed across,
sat and dangled my legs
hoping not to get tossed.
I leaned over the water
and stared deeply in
looking for jellyfish,
fishes and fin.
I saw nearly nothing,
no nothing at all
and the something’s I did see
were terribly small.
Grains of sand maybe
I could not really tell,
as I stretched down with my net
I suddenly fell!
Sounds became garbled
I panicked I’d say,
as a wake hit the seawall
then swept me away!
I thrashed and I kicked
as I tried to swim up
but the current was strong
I was having no luck.
I thrust up one more time
and then felt a wall…
…I was frightened a bit,
since I was so small.
The wall pushed me backwards
and up toward the dock.
I was no longer frightened but
exhausted and in shock.
I grabbed onto the vessel
that was rescuing me.
It was large and rounded
and slightly rubbery?
I quickly reached the surface
my hero was strong.
I opened up my eyes
expecting to see my mom.
Instead I was quite startled
by what I did see;
my hero wasn’t human
but a giant manatee!
I thought of running back inside
as we floated eye to eye
but I was mesmerized
by this monstrous, friendly guy.
We played together all afternoon
until he swam away
and I was grateful for his time
I’d had a splendid day!
I pulled myself upon the dock
then ran inside to share.
I told them of my playmate
and begged that we stay there.
My mom, she laughed and Aunt did too,
they said that I was cute.
They said that I was creative and
my story they’d refute.
As I climbed into the car to leave
I thought of my new friend
and wished that this once boring day,
never had to end.
All I know was that day,
the worst day of Summer yet,
turned out to be the best day.
One I never would forget.