one summer night
on the shores of Greece
I almost lost myself
coming home late
from a walk along the shore
   gingerly stepping
between
sleeping bundles in the sand

the wind was soft
the sea warm
the moon full
    and hanging low

I shed my clothes
and swam
   southwestward
toward the moon

soon I left
the shore behind
swimming toward the moon
propelled by energy
   an ache
   primeval
   leg and arm

I swam
   like I never swam before

feeling I could go on
forever
very strong
swimming toward the moon

the moon now covered
all the horizon
and I swam right into
her golden light
in silken waters
that caressed my limbs

Dionysos calling