An old post from 2014, something very personal. Other than Jude, I don’t think most of you have ever seen it. (I just remembered that it was reblogged on Sally’s site, in 2017. Apologies for the repetition!)
When you see someone splashing in the water, they may not be waving, but drowning.
I would like to thank Jaypot, for suggesting that I explore my childhood for inspiration. Here is the first result of that exploration.
Stevie Smith wrote this famous poem, in 1957. If you have never heard of it, here is a link; http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/not-waving-but-drowning/
I did not become aware of this poem until the 1970’s, and considered it to be a fine piece of work. More than that, it had a connection for me, that even now, is painful to recall. I must start by saying, by way of a disclaimer, that many of the events recounted in this post were told to me later, by my parents. (Though despite my youth at the time, I do actually remember the main occurrence, as if it happened yesterday). This also applies to the exact geography of the location, a place I have never visited since, and which may well have changed, over…
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beetleypete 
I don’t know how I missed this earlier Pete. Such a vivid, frightening account but thankfully with a happy ending. I have read before that people who are drowning do not have the strength or the breath to cry out for help and slip under silently. How fortunate you were to have a savior nearby. You were meant to live!
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Thanks, Susanne. It was definitely a life-changing event, and one I can still recall in vivid detail, despite my age at the time.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Great post 🙂 That must have been a scary situation. Anyway, keep up the great work as always 🙂
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I was too young to be scared at the time, John. But the thought of it scared me ever since. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
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I remember reading this on Sally’s blog. Rereading it today didn’t make it any less scary. What a close call!
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I forgot that she had reblogged it. A bit embarrassing. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
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Not at all!
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Rereading often brings new thoughts, but this is really scary. Michael
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It was an experience that stays with you, that’s for sure.
Best wishes, Pete.
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🙂
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I appreciated the detail with which you reconstructed this thanks to your parents’ details. I am glad you survived the ordeal. My best friend drowned at 9 and I have never forgotten it.
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Thanks, Elizabeth. Sorry to hear about your friend. I fully understand why you have never forgotten that. My Mum used to talk about this often, when she was much older. The details were still vivid in her mind, after 55 years.
Best wishes, Pete.
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And I bet she always blamed herself.
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Wow, Pete. What a life-changing event. Must have been frightening for everyone involved. So glad you are with us to share your stories.
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Thanks, Maggie. The only long-term effect was that I never learned to swim. It could have been worse! 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
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I try not to think about my childhood for all I remember was my mother working her butt off and never enough food….chuq
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I was luckier, chuq. That family protection was always there.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Was this the post you shared on the Smorgasbord site? I remember it as it set me off on my own tale of drowning, but I don’t seem to have commented, unless I did on the other site.
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I just remembered that Sally reposted it. Sorry about that. 🙂 I need to pay better attention!
Best wishes, Pete.
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Haha thought I’d read it as it resonates with my own experience (though I didnt die in mine 🙂 )
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