Topless Swimming Pool
For god so loved the world he traced it, and traced it
until the outside lines became dark
He wrote the hearts of young boys
into the margins of a topless swimming pool
then asked them not to look
Bubbling up from god’s wrist – a cupped hand
full of spring water, lifting weightless breasts
to the lips of these women
These women who do seem happier with their bodies
as if floating on a moon with no men. No need
for support. I’ve spoken with friends
who are women and no one is mad at us directly
More at privilege. I keep my neck still
as one of the boys in my care
has just seen his first pair of breasts go diving off the board
I tell him that women can have their tops off
anywhere men can in this city
He says that seems more fair. I envy his long life, full of
worsening. I try to shield my eyes, but they are widening
starting to get pointy in the middle
I turn my head to the line at Tube Rentals, where topless women
are being gawked at by boys like me, boys like me are offering
to hold their inflatables, saying how awful it must be
having boys like me gawk at them constantly. All the boys
are like me, with places inside they can’t reach
I watch the young ones strap on their goggles – some
have never even cut their hair. They dive to the bottom
of the springs, then come up screaming that they’ve touched it
Very very good
Thanks!
outstanding
Thank you! I will keep writing.
you’ve so got it….in every cell… don’t know whether to congratulations or condolences are in order
“I envy his long life, full of worsening”
wow…whew…oh man….
I keep reading this to feel good.
This really got me — so profoundly wistful, yet not sentimental. Gorgeous. Glad you stopped by.
I take a lot of confidence from this comment. Thank you thank you. Hope to see you again.
I hesitate to say hilarious in case that’s the wrong word. It’s like those dreams were you turn up in a public place and discover you are completely naked.
definitely hilarious. i appreciate your comment no holding back here.