Swimming Lessons

you thought we'd wade into the far blue waves,

but I held fast to your hand and quaked deep,

pointing instead to the close outer caves,

though you sought to break the scene with a leap.

*

your eyes held no glimpse of saving white light,

and all I wanted was approval—yours—

anything to make you gleam winning bright,

but your good mood was off taking new tours.

*

what I learned that day on the sunlit beach

was I could go back and forth, swim and swim,

but there was one thing I could never reach:

the inner core of your every whim.

*

no amount of swimming your heady shore

would ever make you love me all the more.