Atop the surface of the lake
a watercraft floated.

In this watercraft sat an explorer.
More mad than marvellous.

She gazed beneath the calm water,
mesmerised &terrified in equal measure.

From the shore her colleague radioed
“ma’am, get off the water. Something’s in there!”

She ignored the warning
as her excitement began to get the better of her.

Ripples appeared
&the watercraft swayed.

“Come you beauty,” she muttered.
adjusting her glasses

She peered further into the murky lake.
She then spotted a dark form
moving directly underneath.

She crouched low down with her camera
&tranquiliser at the ready.

A giant dark mass rose from underneath,

Stopping only when two sad yellow eyes met hers.

She reached out,
Stroked her,
&then it was gone.

“Got anything, ma’am?”
The radio crackled.

“False alarm.”