Reach: Swimming lesson 2017

For Avery

It’s your turn to learn how the body loves air,

how gravity is a shared human accomplishment.

Kick kick kick, long legs, long arms. Reach

for the light on the water, the ducks on the pond,

birds, leaves, the hurricane fence, the dogs in the field,

the ball in the sky, for the boys playing ball,

for the house on the hill and the long way home,

scoop up the suburb looking down on the pool,

carve out your history with your small hands,

reach for your sisters, who’ve left you behind,
touch the wall, touch the sun, reach.