Swimming Lessons

By Zainab Tambawala

I love the water, 
It's cool whoosh wraps me up
A feeling so light as if floating.
Being peaceful and calm
The waves caressing me with every crash
Each wave becoming stronger than the last,
Slowly stinging with each whoosh,
Capturing me in it's mysterious beauty,
Until land is out of sight, only water.

But I can't swim
So grasping for breath I reach my hand out
Trying to find something to hold
A leg to stand on
As the waves get sharper
I try
Try
And try
Stuck there, accepting my fate
I let go.

I love the water but I can't survive it
I love you but I can't survive you.