it’s not that deep, you say

calling out to me with your feet firmly on the ground

how could you know how it feels?

the water tugs at my hair

caresses my cheeks

traces my lips

my eyes squeeze shut

my face feels blindly for the warmth of the sun

one last time as i brace myself

for the water rushing into my lungs

it’s not the ocean, you say

i hug my knees closer to my chest

feel the water close over my forehead

lose myself in the ecstasy of

this vast embrace

“it’s time to get out of the pool!”

fwhub fwhub

the inflatable plastic sticks to my rubber flippers

i drop my flamingo floaty in the grass

wrap myself in my pastel striped towel

and glare

why can’t you let me enjoy

pretending to drown

in peace?

Maggie Haecussler