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Three Stages of Entering a Pool (Age 6)

Amanda R.,
Perrysburg, OH

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By Kathryn H., Congers, NY

1. I expect to grow a pair of fins,
wait impatiently in my sky-colored bathing suit
with polka dots
as my overprotective mother
smothers me in sunscreen,
SPF 75.
2. I adjust pink goggles,
inflate neon-orange water wings.
I dip my big toe into clear pool water.
Feels like the perfect temperature to
swim like a sleek dolphin,
or hunt for hidden pirate treasure.
3. I run into the pool,
create a big splash.
I notice that I have
not grown fins,
not turned into a mermaid,
but stand in the knee-high water,
surrounded by other children my age,
disappointed that I still have two arms,
two legs, and can’t breathe under water.

This piece has also been published in Teen Ink's monthly magazine.

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Teen Ink is a national teen magazine, book and website featuring teen writing, information, art, photos, poetry, teen issues and more. All articles are written by teen authors who are students at schools. The monthly print magazine is appropriate for any teenager -- teenagers age 13 to 19 attending secondary school: junior high school, middle school and high school. This publication is used by professional people including English teachers, writing teachers, language arts instructors, journalism teachers, school newspaper advisors, librarians, guidance counselors, K-12 principals in addition to the PTA or PTO. Each issue of Teen Ink magazine contains a wide variety of student work: we publish nonfiction, fiction, poems, community service, sports, heroes, interviews, college essays, college reviews, book reviews, concert reviews, movie reviews, music reviews, video reviews, video game reviews, the environment, opinion, sports, pets, cars, automobiles, travel and culture, jobs and money, health issues, artwork, photographs, cartoons, short stories, essays, writing contests, a college directory and the website also has a bulletin board and resources for teens and educators. Subjects include racism, eating disorders, depression, death, suicide, family, relationships, jobs, grandparents, violence, the college process, college information, colleges, driving, self esteem, the arts, movies and more. Teen Ink is also a book series published by HCI Teens. Subjects covered in the book include Friends, Fitting In, Love, Challenges, Family, Heroes, Loss and Memories. Teen Ink was established in 1989 as The 21st Century magazine by The Young Authors Foundation, a nonprofit organization. More than 25,000 teens have been published in the magazine and its companion Poetry Journal. Teen Ink runs a London Summer Program for teenage writers.