Shanty, by Lucy Janes

Up. Down. In. Out. Suck. Blow. Pull. Kick.

Again.

And again. And once again.

And again. Once more.

Clench. Gasp. Stop!

‘Where’s the beach? I can’t see it.’

‘Can I stand? Where’s the sand?’.

Round and round and round.

‘I see it. I see it!’

Breathe. Breathe. Breathe.

Pull. Kick. Pull. Kick.

‘How deep is it? What’s beneath me?’

‘What was that? Something stroked my leg, I’m sure.’

Roll. Pull. Kick. Roll. Whimper. Kick. Kick. Kick.

‘Oh thank God: my toes scraped the sand’.

‘Oh dear God: what's that lump inside my costume?'

‘Oh: a beautiful big shell.’