soul in the pool

i just bared my soul to you in the swimming pool,

Gina who I thought was Jana,

you who are not my grandmother but 

I'll act as if you are for the next three years. 

shivering in lukewarm water,

you on your floatie, I with my paddling arms,

there are some bridges built quickly, by listening, and by opening,

we are treading water and life

toss me a life line

listen to me see me

i am so lost in the words i am (so lost in the words) i am not seeing my husband in front of me

toss me a life line, he says

listen to me see me, he says

he says none of those but I am determinedly writing about the time i was listened to while i (busily) close my heart to him

listening, and opening, we need this bridge.

Gina probed with precision, so gently,

family, parents, mission, husband... 

apply, Anna, apply. apply apply

hearts are to be opened

and hugged tenderly, without touching, in the water and the woodshop quiet

eyes and gentle questions

take off your clothes, soul, be bare and shivering and 

swim in the water two at a time,

soft.