Below the Mill dam
the water dark and cool
flowed onto us and
we tried to corral the bubbles.
The older kids showing off
jumped from the top of the dam;
splashed us in our whirlpool
but we forgot our
rebelling shouts as we watched
as they went invisible
through the tight underwater caves
to the back pool!
Amazingly delicious danger:
we were breathless with excitement.
We talked of our
watery prowess well
into the winter
and savoured it still
the next summer when we
tall and fearless
became older kids.
Few swim there now
although the water is likely less
polluted
than when we could fit the caves.
We are so aware now
so anxietied
that all I can do
is tell the story dangerously
and tell the kids
never to
never to go down there
how could I have been
so reckless.
I point out the geologic:
limestone layers jutting out
sublimely treacherous steps
duty pressed from
million year old cementery shells.
My memories
still
froth up wistful.
Percolating up all those layers.
-2007/10/01-
