Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Swimming

my body feels weightless-rare-i cut and glide effortlessly graceful, amazed at the buoyancy. i float, drifting, water reflects sky reflects dreams, and i swim to forget the land's many tasks.
i never even knew how to swim properly til age 24, and i asked her if she'd teach me before i had to go.
(i am running away.)
her skin is wrinkled in fine lines, but brown and sinewy strong; mine is freckled,pale, and curvy-soft. she's an excellent swimmer, powerful.
i can't imagine her running away from anything.

every day, i treasure our hour together; i wonder what fall will be like when i can't swim with her anymore, when i won't have to see him again. i wonder if the breathing above water will be any easier than the snorkeling choking breath below. arm sweeps a waving arc, legs flutter kick, and i'm not sure if swimming's any easier than running.

(a tale of heartbreak, of love lost to a boy and being afraid of losing his mother's love, which i have not. this is like the prequel to my love story to my beautiful rickey, but a definite glimpse into my heart's ways, namely how easy it is to be afraid or want to run.)
linking with emily today.

17 comments:

Jodi said...

Your words are always so touching, Misty.

Brian Miller said...

an intriguing intro...the effortless glide in the beginning giving way to a desire to run...and not seeing that in the one teaching you...intrigued with what comes next...

my imperfect prose

Unknown said...

oh the swimming...it reminds me of that book, what was it? where she runs away and swims out until she can't swim back, and drowns herself? Pooh, I forget the name.
Anyway I'm glad yours has a happier ending, but this is full of tension and beautiful words. Great writing.

p.s. I'm forever trying to run away too. I have staying power, but it takes a lot of effort :)

Above Ground Pools said...

really a nice touching post Misty it makes me remind about my 1st swim with my dad & how he taught me...

Unknown said...

Misty,
This beautiful and honest and raw. Love stories are hard and revealing. But it is in strength that we offer love, as it is truly scandalous to give of self freely in love. This was wonderful.

Claudia said...

what hit me was ...i swim to forget the land's many tasks... i can identify with this - swim, run, pray, write away the land's many tasks that want to bury you...so good we have a god we can run to...

Kath said...

Oh that 'snorkeling choking breath'. I was back learning to swim again. Lovely story. Thanks.
Kath

amy said...

*i can't imagine her running away from anything*
oh the feelings, how we look at others, as if they had it all together when we are such a mess... i look at people like that all the time. they wouldn't run away, they wouldn't fail. how we compare ourselves.

beautiful writing here friend, and i can't wait to hear more.

J said...

I swim to forget the land's many tasks...such gorgeous, rhythmic words, Misty. Your prose is so graceful, almost like a continuous stream of water...which, fitting, tells your story. Thank you.

Mommy Emily said...

i am swimming here with you, sister... this is eloquent, and rhythmic and touching. a beautiful link. xo

Shelby and Bev said...

i read this 4 or 5 times...it really spoke to my heart...
xo

Sarah said...

I love the thought of swimming to forget the land's tasks . . . oh yes! Your words make me feel like I'm already in the water.

Nancy said...

As someone who owns a pool but really never learned how to swim (something about fear, I think?), I was immediately hooked by your opening. Thank you for your kind words to day--not really sure sometimes what I am doing typing these words into space. So glad to hear when they are helpful. Blessings to you, Misty.

Linda Bob Grifins Korbetis Hall said...

swim away pressure ...

smart thoughts...
:)
loved your prose.

Ruth said...

There is certainly a deep human connection to the water. It's a place to contemplate and diconnet.

Peace,
Ruth V

Michelle DeRusha said...

This is beautiful -- soothing and poignant and sad.

Anonymous said...

i have felt like running away too, many times. from my boys, and my husband. i think i know how you have felt.
i also read your "who i am" post. i am glad you have told your story here.... we all have one, and they all important!