for T

On the first day of summer
we swam naked in the carefree sunrise,
pioneer beams of light shimmering

reflections on still water. It was
barely 6AM and the park sign read *closed
so we hopped the fence

and bounded barefoot through the trees.
Then with our clothes we shed our inhibitions, too
drunk on cheap gin and stifled laughter

to care.  Too content to feel self-
conscious.  Wading peacefully in the humming
heat of the dawning season,

you asked me how I felt -
and for the first time in months I could smile
and answer happy, and answer honestly.