Treading Water

Tiredly Treading Water In A Storm

When I was young, I never thought I would get this old
Swimming had more to do with suns than moons
Nothing was considered, it took an explosion
To get me where my parents wanted me.
Their solid beach footing.

Yet there were shadows
Sacrifices to the dark side of their currents
As an ant in the sand of their raising
I spent too much time crawling in damp tracks
Belly knowledge is sticky piss poor growth.
My legs only grew to walking
When I got away.

When I did it was classic
Fire to frying pan
My head, everything about me
Sizzled with freedom.
I was I in the Navy.
Every droplet was about me, but today?
I have a better kindness towards drowning.

Home was a cold wet memory
Cards flipped traditionally at Tea
Snow and burdened pine trees.
A coastal dog whistle in the wind.
That’s not to say it was all bad
There were days I pranced.
Inland unity cornfields I will drag to the end.
I will die smiling at Peaks Island
Mail Ferry’s, and a stone cottage
By circumstance I own on a stony beach
Shit happens when you live long enough.

Rivers and oceans, breathing must be down above water
Or you simply drown, even in two inches depth.
They say it is painless, filled with best wishes
At that last gasp? Are there Gale Winds?