The Rush
The shivering fingers
And trembling toes
Are standing on the edge
Stomach dropping
In nervous fear
Seconds stretching beyond
To anticipate–
The toes curl
Around the edge
As the moment stretches
Until eyes close
And a mind flies away
Watching from afar
And jump–
Toes grip tighter
For a moment more
Molding to the edges
Pushing away
From the springing-back board
Launching into the air.
To fly –
The infinite moment
And feet fly free
From limited eternity
The second of freedom
The invisible wings
The high-peak of ecstasy
And fall –
The air rushes by
Sweeping all trembles
Into the stomach
Floating high above
Are the fears
Waiting patiently on the side.
To land–
The cold concrete
Rushes up
To meet the flailing limbs
Driving all thought
From the head
As it swarms within
And swim–
Water sweeps along
The arms and legs
Remembering where they are
And meeting the fears
Like an unwanted friend
From long ago, left afar
Is tasting infinite freedom
Only to be swept away
In the finite river of time.
(2012)
Inspired by many childhood summers spent at the public pool.
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