learning to swim

swim like a fishie, we said, we said
jump in and be brave
and let the water cover your
head,
float in place, float around,
sputter and cough,
wipe your face three times over
and over again
and when you're done
we'll splash free
her, him, you and me
her, him, you and me
walk barefoot through the scratchy
summer grass
plant ourselves under the low sun
picnic under the low sun
we'll eat, we'll talk
we'll start to laugh;
swim like a fishie we said, we said,
we'll drive home under the low sun
climb into bed,
good swimming we said, we said,
sweet fishie dreams we said,
we said.