He watches, sitting on the raft,
As the rapids near at a fast pace
He clutches his paddle tightly
With a look of terror etched on his face

His friends sit around him
Laughing,  cheering,  ready for action
He starts to regret his  
Decision to come by a tiny fraction

Their guide warns them to be ready
Now begins the battle
Of the raft against the rapids
His only weapon is his paddle

They hit the rapids with a giant splash
His friends shriek with delight
The raft bumps; up and down and up again.  
He holds on with all his might

Water splashes his focused face,
As he paddles along furiously.
So sure he is that the raft will flip
While his friends shout out in ecstacy.

Finally,  calmness decends
The rapids end at last
He takes a deep breath of relief
His heart is still beating fast

The raft moves on the placid water
His friend exclaims, "Wasn't that fun?!"
He doesn't say how scared he was
He just laughs along with everyone.