swimming with dolphins

We were asked
if anyone had
any metal in their body;
a hip replacement,
a steel plate?

I said no, of course,
as no one would
believe me
if I told them
I was riddled with bullets

The captive dolphin
circled me
for a few minutes
knowing my secret

The others laughed
and splashed
afloat without knowing
that the weight countered
my life
jacket

We made eye contact
and I was encouraged
to grab its dorsal fin
as it buzzed by;
trapped too
by people who thought it
was okay
to ignore the obvious

Both wondering if we had
enough momentum
to jump the wall
or if it was easier
to just eat the free fish
another day