Happily jumping into
the small, plastic boat,
Tanya helps to paddle
toward the gently breaking surf
where she invisions an hour
of playful boating.

Almost immediately,
though, as she watches
the coral formations
fly past under the water;
her legs begin to shake
uncontrollably,
Tanya remembers she is
terrified of the ocean,
it's inhabitants &
of getting water in her ears.