The manatees swim up the edge of the canal
To avoid the pleasure boats that travel back and forth.
They swim at great risk.
Many of the older ones bear scars
From encounters with prop blades.
They are heading to the powerplant
Where the water that cools the generators
Flows from a big pipe into the lagoon.
When we see them swimming
Up the edge of the canal
We shout, "manatees!"
And anyone in the house hurries to the railing.
They surface to catch a breath.
The water is shallow and clear
And they are slow. I imagine that some
Were boat owners in a previous life.
