(for Christine)
In water: first, I learned to put my mouth
part-way beneath the surface, and blow out
with breath I’d stored inside me. Miracle!
The air moved through the water, and the tiny
Air bubbles broke the surface, popped and splashed.
I felt my cheek hairs sway, gentle sea grass.
I smiled to see the silver line I made
and feel the motor humming like a glade
of friendly bees. Sucked air; moved further in,
my nose was covered, eyes, and brows, and chin
deep in my chest, I made a water weather:
tornado, then a calm; soft floating hair—
my ears beneath the surface felt a warm,
full silence in the center of my storm.
2001