A Wigwam for a Goose's Bridle

The fears have always been present
and I confess I thought them to be
merely harmless undertows. I have been
tousled by the large waves, dumped
unceremoniously onto the sandy ocean floor, 
at times even dragged a little before 
resurfacing,
spluttering,
mildly winded,
but more embarrassed than actually harmed. 
But this fear, 
this is a rip current,
and I am the inexperienced child
who wandered naively into 
apparently calm waters.