A Swimming Lesson

All wrapped up in a Summer Water meadow memory

A sea of buttercups where we lay.
Immobile, immersed in a forever day.
The sulphur yellow shine under your chin, that you said, proved you liked best butter on your bread.
Well, I knew that, I’d seen you wolf down your toast in the morning; lips shiny and sweet.
Where we picnicked that day, on the bank of the river, and as an afterthought, you taught me to swim.

There in the demesne of the American absentee overlord.
Getty, Paul, the third one.
Hoarding the world’s artworks, 
in some far off sterile, old man, mausoleum.

The river was narrow, a channel. Cut chin deep in the middle. A tributary of its big sister, the Wey. 
The meadow grass, lush, uncut, awaiting the hay.
Rippling in the breeze like dollar bills in the money trees, of the rich magnate who owned it.

A private prairie, where we could trespass, among the tall rich butter topped stems.
To watch the meandering sky, feeding our souls on birdsong and butterflies.
Where commerce and Industry lived far away; in some unforeseen future.
Someone else’s problem.
For we were teenagers and an endless summer stretched out ahead; unbroken by responsibility.

The water was cold, so cold.
Clean.
Clear.
Pristine.

A mirror reflection of fluffy clouds careering above, riding the unconcerned, free spirited breeze.
Rattling reeds and watercress weed that clung to young laughing faces.
And our eyes that followed the damsel flies racing.
Wings whirling, in skirling ephemeral formations.

“Lay on your back, breathe, relax, think of nothing,” you said.
“Let the arms of the river reach out and take you into its embrace.
 Trust it, Trust me!”
And I did, learned to overcome fear,
to welcome buoyancy, found a new belief in myself.

Learnt that given half a chance, 
the universe isn’t against us 
and opens to grant
cool peace
in our hearts.

Like a river that flows
eternal and sweet
Captured in our Summer 
water meadow memory.


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Something a bit lighter today…

Thank you for reading, Sea 😘

Photo by Jani-Petteri Tammi on Unsplash