Gone Swimming

I am feeling, today, like there is a deep sea, somewhere, and I am in up to my hips.  Fog over the water and salt spray on my face and seagulls wheeling overhead.  I am not alone, no, never, but I am the only one in the ocean.  Looking out, my back to shore.

But then they come splashing in after me, with puckered lips and squishy kisses, making a mess of it, really.  Spilled animal crackers and sticky rice on the table and giggles, nose to nose.  And it is tue, I realize, that every person who goes swimming needs two things: an anchor to keep you from floating away, and a life raft to keep your face in the sun.