BACK

My whole body feels hot

after my run and all this thinking,

but the water feels cool and soft

and right, like a mama’s touch

or a daddy’s hug. So I close my eyes

and I let it love me like

I guess they never could.

And when my heart feels

even and smooth, like the

surface of the water,

I walk barefoot back

to the school, surprised

I know the way.