Swimming Beyond the Reef with Anne Sexton

I read you incessantly.

Struggle to find a way

through your madness.

Like a lifeguard

I come up behind you;

try to pull you to shore,

but how do you

save an expert swimmer

who is committed to drowning?

I tread water beside you.

Watch for an opening

in the rhythm of your thrashing.

It begins to makes sense.

Soon I am thrashing, too.

Someone calls from shore.

I come up for air,

abandon you in water

too deep to push off from the bottom.

I swim towards dry land;

turn and watch sharks

kiss you with open mouths.

12-14-23