She liked swimming in swift running streams with
rapids to sit in for splash massage and
stones to balance across and feel rounded
underfoot while above the braver teens
jumped crazy from cliff top to deep cool pool.
In the pool part she would drop her body
straight down letting her hair stream up over
until a double foot bounce lifted her
back to the surface, hair plastered on cheeks,
neck and back, feet together mermaid-like.
In the likeness of Diana off-work
alone she slipped out of her bathing suit,
lay in hot sun above mini-rapids
and let flat rocks warm her backside awhile
dreaming of growing up into wonder.
She didn’t wonder why no adults swam
lazy afternoons away on this peak
where streams were born clean enough to drink, trees
welcomed climbing hugs and bareback riding
limbs gesturing thanks for being alive.
 |
| O banho de Diana by Carlo Maratta (1684) |
For my prompt Poets United Midweek Motif ~ Swimming
Copyright © 2014 S.L.Chast
could feel the vibrancy in her and her innocence is like the pristine world around her...magic of youth...
ReplyDeleteHi Susan -
ReplyDeleteIt feels like summer all over again. Splash massage - I liked it!
I can imagine how these young ones race against the streams just for fun.
And can I live on this place you have describe. I won't be asking why adults are nowhere to be seen.
Have a good week!
This sounds like a glorious place. As a young teen, I sought out wild places too, and dreamed of "growing up into wonder". This is a beautifully evocative piece, Susan. I could see it all.
ReplyDeleteThe poem incorporates a sense of freedom in nature with the wild child representing youth. A freedom and feeling that is lost with the coming of age and responsibilities.I like the young girl sunbaking on the rocks dreaming of the future.
ReplyDeleteWater is experiential isnt it? We have our rendezvous as a child, we dive in our youth and as we age we let it soothe the body that we bruised as younguns.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful setting Susan
I love how you describe being in water and the freedom that comes with being one with nature.
ReplyDeleteLove this playful poem, could feel the massage and hot stones massage too. Love water! x
ReplyDeleteThere is something about communing with nature (with or without clothes). Some of the happiest days of my childhood were exploring the country, wading though streams and feeling totally free. Diana however evaded me!
ReplyDeletewhere streams were born clean enough to drink, trees
ReplyDeletewelcomed climbing hugs and bareback riding
limbs gesturing thanks for being alive.
Wonderful feeling...your lines have a magic...which took me along!
Oh how much I like this girl, Susan. <3 A fabulous piece of writing. The reflection of her vibrant persona comes out clearly. So vivid..I could almost see her splashing around in the pool...awesome!
ReplyDeleteMade me consider that it's too bad we adults are often too busy, too blind to see the joy of simply being. I like the serenity in this, the swimming, the fun and the lack of wondering about adults.
ReplyDeleteYes, I've wondered that same thing myself since I got older.
ReplyDeleteWow. It's an interesting light on difference between youths and adults.
ReplyDeleteIt makes me sad thag she doesn't think about adulthood and what it fully means; the struggles.
ReplyDeleteWill this innocence hurt her in future?:-(
ReplyDeletethe beauty of innocence..lovely lines Susan
ReplyDeleteSusan,
ReplyDeleteAn innocence in those awkward teenage years. A true testing of the waters and the depths of acceptance, even by oneself...
A great prompt, with scope...
Eileen