1973 School Magazine

I sit there, h's my world. Don't stare, I don't know You. I'm normal

Sally Gilligan i

advice I dived as the gigantic monster exploded around my ears. Sand filled my ears, my eyes as I was tossed and thrown in the turbulent tunnel of the wave' Sand cried out in agony as I was threshed and tumbled in the floor of the wave. Would I never meet the sky again? Sand filled my mind, my mouth as I mingled with the salty waves. Gasping for air I surged towards the sky only to be thrown back alain as the wave continued to haul me mercilessly as it resumed its course. Sand appeared before my face. I grabbed great handfuls of sand as I struggled to leave the nightmare behind me. Sand was now all I possessed, all I thought of, all I loathed in this mad world. Then, sand cried out in relief as I was once more tfuown and left, stranded, high on the sand from which I had first come. Wearily I lifted my head, and tears of sand and salt poured out of my eyes as I retched the last reminder of this ordeal from within me. Sand was under my nails, blocking my thoughts and here was I, spread on the sand, thankful for sand. Thankful that now I was calm and had command, once more, of every limb. The sun beat mercilessly down upon me, ignorant of how I had despaired of ever acknow- ledging its warm rays again. Slowly I rose and trudged, away from sand and sun' Julie Mott IVC

AWAY FROM SAND AND SUN A hot day, and the sea held promises of cool relief. Far out a faint lightening of the brilliant azute water told of a sandbank. There I would be alone with my thoughts, to ponder on my life and dreams, to imagine a future bright and secure' I entered the water, tingling as the frosted waves played about me. I fought my way through the oncoming waves that jostled and tumbled until I passed into the area of calm rolls instead of foaming dumpers' I rose and fell, as one with the sea around me. Pustring off, I prepared to swim to the sandbank. Far below me myriads of tiny fish could be seen darting in and out among the seaweed and algae. The sandbank was no longer discernible among the rising waves. I hadn't realised how far out the sandbank was but still, I kept on, undaunted, picturing for myself the peace I would find. Fifteen minutes of swimming and still no sight of sand to stand on. Behind me, away in the distance I observed the high cliffs of the coast. Reluctantly I turned back, I could swim forever and still not find the sandbank. Swimming this way was easier, the tide was with me. Turning round to view the sea as I swam on my back, I noticed a hugh wave headed towards me,like a dragon already foaming at the mouth. Fool that I am I had forgotten the incoming tide would cover the bank and now here was a huge wave about to break upon me because of that hidden bank. What should I do? Swim or dive? Heeding my father's oft repeated

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