Fear of Sharks
When my kids were small and for several years
We rented a beach house on the Gulf coast
Where the sand was white and the water clear
And the sunshine would feel as warm as toast
Both Bruce and Mary Ann would join us there
In those days, we had the beach to ourselves
A week of fun without a single care
Fish, swim and see sand castles built by elves
Just clear water from shore to the sand bar
It turns to a dark blue where it gets deep
This day, Bruce and I were out pretty far
Lying on air mattresses half asleep
Some people on shore, strolling up the beach
We both heard them when they started to yell
They were screaming Shark! Shark! The sharks out there!
Scared shitless, started paddling like hell
Bruce is a tall guy, about six foot two
While at my best, I stand five foot seven
With those long arms of his, his mattress flew
Way behind, I was praying to heaven
Then it happened, I fell off the mattress
Legs hanging down and floundering around
Looking more like shark bait, increased the stress
Fear was eminence; then my feet hit the ground
Waded to shore, Bruce walked over to me
“Take a look over there, was do you see?”
No sharks, just a few porpoise swimming free
Yet, out there, FEAR was as great as can be
Copyright © Charles Sides | Year Posted 2012
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