First time seen we ran and climbed
On glacier- strewn boulders bigger than
Dad’s Chevy. Looked across the cove,
Swimming in our minds. I’ll win.
Run down, small, weed-choked, perfect.
Daring each other to swim now, but
Only April, too cold, so tempting.
Regina rolling eyes, shaking head no.
Jacked it level, shingled, painted,
Roddy and I sweat-working that Spring.
Regina cleaning, dusting, flinging
Colonies of mice, ants, startled bats.
The summers almost endless then,
Swimming in champagne chill,
Deep-diving to touch fish; Ivory soap
Baths and blinding Breck shampoo lather.
Sunburned summer friends: Jody, Janet,
And Buzz with Paul, pact of the same clothes
Summer, no changing. Two mothers
Hand wringing, shaking permed heads, laughing.
Then Sunfish races, Suzy always winning,
Golden hair flying out, sun-glorious,
Buzz coming bow front just once
Running to first finish on picture day.
And the Shore Patrol canoe, Day-Glo
Painted, two halves of whole, dared
To stay afloat one long summer,
Sneaking up on nude lake midnight lovers.
And Tommy, swimming, laughing, loving
In and out of water, slippery fish love
Smooth skin no other ever, ever had.
So many perfect lake night’s heaven.
Early morning cousins, come to fish
And waking us to frenzied coffee greetings.
Uncle Steve never told, never betrayed us.
The good mornings, day, nights now gone.
Now forty years later, first sighted again,
Tumbled rocks, weed-choked, sad.
But crystal water still cold, Buzz there again,
Drifting, swimming, sailing. I’ll let him win.