and I’m 12 again
in our old hard-side
the water clear and cool
on my sunburned skin
as I hold my breath
with my eyes wide open
ignoring the burn of chlorine

I try to count to 60 mississippi
at least 5 times in a row
but by 3 and 30 mississippi
the convulsing starts
and it’s just so hard
to keep yourself under
just four feet of water

and I lose count
somewhere around 4 and ten
as I realize my failure again
and I beg silent forgiveness
and rocket above the waterline
and gasp
like I’ve never tasted air before
in all my great long life