Kayaking With Manatees Poem by JOHNNY COBB

Happy new year... plus a new decade too
Ushered in with great anticipation.
After a polar bear plunge yesterday
I'm loving my Florida vacation.

I'll rent a kayak for a few hours
Explore clear waters of Crystal River.
Next trip I will swim with the manatees
But in January... I would shiver.

We saw dozens of these gentle giants
At Homasassa Springs a few years back.
Now they're swimming right below me today.
These sea cows just glide right by my kayak.

Thrilled seeing these marvelous manatees
I'm overcome by such a sense of awe.
Such tiny nostrils, coming up for air...
My paddling speed is now down to a crawl.

A warm winter haven for these mammals
Looking for a sea-grass salad buffet.
Can't wait to return in a see-through boat
To repeat this fascinating, fun day!