Treasures of The Deep

A trip below the waves to another world

Out in a clear blue ocean,

I strap on all my gear.

Our boat in rocking motion,

no engine sound to hear.

'OK' signal with my hand,

I sit upon the side.

By breeze the surface fanned,

excitement I can't hide.

Seconds later as I dive,

both arms are by my sides.

Feels good to be alive,

down here below the tides.

Humpback whale goes gliding past,

with single calf in tow.

To me they're moving fast,

but they're relatively slow.

Gentle movement of my limbs,

shoal of bright fish dart away.

Sea turtle past me swims,

and carries on his way.

Now right before my eyes,

this ship I've come to check.

Resting there it's quite a size,

a massive wooden wreck.

I next illuminate,

with powerful flash-light.

To enter I can't wait,

she is a wondrous sight.

I'm checking out the features,

and start to realise.

She's home to many creatures,

of every shape and size.

Octopus and squid,

crab and starfish all abound.

Giant clam closes lid,

coral species all around.

Vibrant coloured shoals of fish,

swimming closely packed.

Protection is their wish,

but still they are attacked.

A manta ray glides by,

like an underwater kite.

From the corner of my eye,

I spot a huge Great White ….

I won't desert my station,

and simply haven't got,

the slightest inclination,

to head back to the yacht.

I stay close by the ship,

and watch the shark swim by.

I've given him the slip,

to see this wreck I'll try.

I swim from deck to deck,

amazed at what I see.

My oxygen I check,

a while yet I will be.

Investigation done,

on this first short look.

A real prize we have won,

I've found the ship's logbook.

With spear-gun at the ready

I hate to leave the site.

Once in the boat and steady,

I tell the crew, 'All right!'

Co-ordinates are checked,

before a second dive.

'It's what we did suspect,

treasure chests … there's five!'

* * *

Author's Note

As a non-swimmer this is an unsusual piece for me, but I am interested in natural history.

Reviews

[anne p. murray- LadeeAn..]

As a non swimmer as well, I always wondered how it would be to deep sea dive,
Taking in all the oceans beautiful and magnificent color and marine life. You've just taken me on a beaufitful journey into the oceans depths. Very well written Tom, with vivid images and the magical flow of your imagination and pen