Poem-A-Thon: Day 21 of 30

day 21

Last year was the first time
I swam in a lake.
Under the water
mussels sliced my feet.

Last year was the first time
I ran in the rain.
I didn’t know rain
could be toxic at the time.

Last year was the first time
I swam under the moon.
Letting go I floated
in cold black water.

Last year was the first time
I ran in the dark
with barn owls and wind
soaring around me.

Last year was the first time
I ran over a mountain.
I hurt along the way
but I made it to the sea.

This year I’ll keep running
because I’m beautiful and free
like the lizards in my garden
and the hawks on the streetlights.

This year I’ll keep swimming
because I want my heart strong
like the high tide as it surges
and the pines along the shore.

Day 21 of TIFERET JOURNAL's 2018 April Poem-A-Thon (a poem a day for the entire month of April).