I wrote this poem for my kids after a recent trip to Busselton,
a small town on the coast of Western Australia.
The jetty is well-known there -
the swimming leg of the Busselton Ironman loops out and around it -
and is one of the town's main attractions.
Two kilometres long, it stretches right out into the ocean,
ending at an underwater observatory.
The Jetty
It s t r e t c h e s out so far
from shallow to the deep.
To water that is dark and quiet
where all the fish can sleep.
The wooden planks are w i d e
and lead us on our way.
We walk right near the edge to see
and feel the salty spray.
The clearness of the water-
the unclouded crystal green-
a window to the world below,
of life not always seen.
The seaweed waves its fronds,
a gentle to and fro.
Back and forth they sway-
the ocean's rhythm calm and s l o w.
We see them dart around-
silver flashes down below.
As herring dance in synchrony-
the entire school in flow.
Other fish swim by-
their antics make a splash!
Drops of water jumping out
and landing with a splat!
Not everything is moving-
some creatures are so still.
Clinging tightly to the pillars-
holding fast with all their will.
The abalone shells
are round and very tough.
We reached arms down to touch them-
ridges prickly and quite rough.
Climbing up again
from underneath the jetty's shade,
We stood and watched just one more dance
'til the movements seemed to fade.
