From the collection published in 2021, And Don’t Come Back.

A Succession of Moments

Bailing
but I’m not always
alert
to the moment when I
lose the fight
begin to sink
No
I keep on with the bucket-filling
the up and over

an instant of distraction in
my stupid admiration
for each perfect arch of water I toss

How can I have time for that?
while I am
so hard at work
and sinking –

I sink.
Then
I start to swim.
Every time
so far
I always swim. I swim.

12/14/20