Saturday’s Poem: First Lesson
Another favorite of mine, this one is a poet's advice to his daughter about swimming...and life:
FIRST LESSON by Phillip Booth
Lie back, daughter, let your head
be tipped back in the cup of my hand.
Gently, and I will hold you. Spread
your arms wide, lie out on the stream
and look high at the gulls. A dead-
man’s float is face down. You will dive
and swim soon enough where this tidewater
ebbs to the sea. Daughter, believe
me, whe nyou tire on the long thrash
to your iisland, lie up, and survive.
As you float now, where I held you
and let go, remember when fear
cramps your heart what I told you:
lie gently and wide to the light-year
stars , lie back, and the sea will hold you.