aquadome, age 6

the small car, sky colour, the first I knew. Magic Melda drove it and just us in the back. Fuzz-soft grey seats pushed down flat - proof of wizardry at play - and the sloped rear window, more than a sunroof, a portal. Encouraged when safe, lying on our backs we rode, cloud whisperers. This was real life, an instructional through Abba and Cohen and all long car rides from then on felt like family.

The dome was almost silent outside, earthy, alien. But inside - the roar of human and water - elemental paradise for a fish like me. Many soft things: the safe cool tug of the lazy river, building capacity with my aunt for currents. And the hard: slides and whirlpools - where danger felt alive and chuckling - my little body big with adventure, with triumph, with toughness. Today danger took a day off and something else complete filled in: we are so lucky to be so alive.

goggles thick on eyes

often lost but always found

vital for success

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