The Ballad of the Roll
by Ellie

To come up when down, to go right around,
Was the goal I wished to reach.
I was there to learn, how to actually turn.
And they were there to teach.

I hip flicked at the edge, held on to the ledge,
Put my face in the water and all.
Wore my boat like a skirt, pfd like a shirt.
I was ready to take the fall.

My goggles fit snug, just above my mug,
I was all ears and eyes a waiting.
When over I went, bubbles up I sent
Quite a panic I was creating!

I looked up from the side, boat attached to my hide,
Brought me under the water once more.
Two hands found mine, brought me up this time.
I'd been scared to my very core.

"Just relax came the word", I thought how absurd
To tell a person who'd almost drowned.
"Just look to the top, and up you'll pop"
How easy he made it sound!

"Take your paddle in hand, come forward and fan
Through the water 'til your body is perpendicular
Then pull your paddle to your ear, and have no fear
This is what is in the curricular."

I stretched forward to my deck, I thought what the heck
I'll flick hard with my hip and do it.
When I looked where to arrive, my paddle took a dive
And the bubbles formed the exasperating "sh*t".

With help I appeared, and as I had feared,
This rolling was becoming a fight.
With a float on the paddle, and helping hands at the saddle
This time I sat upright.

Well, after awhile I developed a style,
That saw the paddle as a block.
It would dive to the tiles, which seemed to be miles,
I felt like it was a rock.

I rolled up side down, I knew I wouldn't drown,
And I thought carefully about each move.
Paddle to the left and forward then heft,
And make it all real smooth.

It was time well spent but over I went,
Hanging upside down in the pool.
I splayed well out, then I began to shout!
Only bubbles were seen from this fool.

What's with this I thought, this dilema I've caught,
Isn't readying me for the ocean.
Diving paddle be damned, I won't be stuck on land
I've got to get this rolling motion.

Goggles tight to my face, I got ready to brace,
Then I flipped over to the other side.
Well, what do you know, I had conquered the flow
I did a roll with an easy glide.

Now I know it can be done, and I can have fun
rollin' a kayak right around.
Now that I have the motion and I have the notion
Kayak rollin' I'll be found.