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There’s Always a First, a poem

“Better than sex.”

“The best experience in my life.”

“I love the beer after a deep dive!”

“Been diving since I was 13.”

“Its like flying.”

“Its freedom!”

“Its my therapy.”

“Its my meditation.”

“Its a different world down there.”

“Its so beautiful.”

“Help, I can’t equalize!”

“Aren’t you afraid of the water?”

“Of the sharks?”

“Of the deep?”

“Of the dark?”

“Will we see the sunfish?”

“Do you use nitrox, or oxygen?”

“I’m just an open water beginner!”

“This is my very first time.”

“I’m scared.”

“Of the water.”

“Of the deep.”

“Of the dark.”

“I’m scared.”

“Here, take my hand.”

“Breathe slowly.”

“Reach out, hold my hand.”

On Diving

20 August 2018

Lembongan, Bali

To read more of my poems, visit A Season of Poetry in the shop. Your support means a lot to me!

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Manta Mamas – Podcast Episode 8

In comparison to the other women I interviewed so far on this podcast whom I’ve known for years, Janis would be the most recent contact. We only met last December of 2020 on the dive boat in Nusa Lembongan island. Once you have been on a dive boat together though, it’s an unforgettable bond.

Janis Argeswara, marine biologist

Janis is a marine biologist with Marine Mega Fauna Foundation, a global non-profit with headquarters in Mozambique. When some divers from the Foundation discovered the tiny island of Lembongan in Indonesia and saw that there was a large manta ray population, they decided to set up an Indonesian chapter.

Listen to the really cool work that Janis does in saving and preserving manta rays and marine life. Make a donation to Marine Mega Fauna Foundation to support their work, and whenever you can: use less plastic. Don’t kill turtles, or manta rays, or sharks with your waste.

Let’s love and take care of our oceans!