my toes are inching toward the lake
for a moment i’m too cowardly to touch the drink
the water has been rolling towards me all the while
and it is braver than i am and so the first to make contact
the water washes over my sandy feet
my eyes are closed and for a second i am alone with my sensations
i hear seagulls above
the children laughing beside me
i can hear the water trickling, waves crashing
then something grabs me by the leg