The coin divers of Mindanao are little boys and girls who gather around inter-island boats and invite passengers to toss some coins into the sea for them to retrieve while awaiting departure time.

The sea that rocks your raft
Pumps your heart and revs your arms;
It is the air
That fires our lungs.

Your every dive is unique,
As you trail the glinting speed
Of each coin, as it tears into the wombs
Of the sea. But your eyes are quicker;

And your motion has mind:
Calculating, manipulative and daring.
Each coin caught in your palm
Is a tiny, but weighty plum.

Victorious, you mount your raft
With pride, aware that you are no beggar;
The coin-throwers toss coins to goad
Your darting grace to retrieve the prize.

To them, you lose if you let the silver
Slide off into the dark ocean floor.
But you beat them every time. But each
Time you win, a spring of joy uncoils