Inspired by a snorkeling adventure on a recent trip to the Galapagos Islands.
Game On!
Mask, fins and snorkel in place,
we drop from the dinghy into the sea.
The young sea lions check us out,
seem to shrug, return to tossing
sticks and Sally Lightfoot crabs.
One of us dives down. Game on!
They swim towards and around us,
make us their slalom course,
somersault, blow bubbles,
ert-ert underwater,
roll, belly so close I could touch,
come face to my face, both our eyes wide,
then turn just in time.
The patriarch patrols slowly by,
we hover, arms in, signal no threat,
snorkel giggles erupt
as a pup grabs a swim fin.
Sophia Brothers Peterman
