First Night Swim of the Summer

It’s cold,

but there's only one way to go-

so you go, you plunge

down, and at first you shudder from the cold;

by the time your body adjusts to the temperature

you're halfway in the deep end.

 

Pool lights;

ribboned rainbows dance on the pool bottom,

and you glide your fingertips over the rubber lining,

following the light.

you gasp as you emerge into the air

and see that light reflecting on the maples' branches.

 

You’re alone-

save for the fireflies waving over the concrete;

the occasional bat overhead.

You still pause to check your hair after you break the surface,

because you can't go for a swim

without a June bug tagging along.

 

Stars above

but between the suburban glow

and your current lack of glasses

you can barely make out the few white pinpricks in the black.

But you know they're there,

and that comforts you as you float on your back.

 

You’re sore

tired from dragging that winter weight along,

because ice cream season starts earlier

than swim season, right?

And yet school is still two pages away on the calendar,

so you have all the time in the world to get used to this again.

 

They call

you inside to get changed and leave.

So you push off powerfully towards the stairs,

and as you stand, the water tugs wistfully, begging you to stay,

but you reassure you and the water both as you walk up out of the pool-

you'll be back tomorrow night.