Peter Leight

If I Die Today I’m Going for a Swim

in an ocean
the size of the ocean 

it’s a good ocean
for a swim 

I mean you can’t trust the ocean
not to overflow 

swimming isn’t a reason
for anything 

turning over
and swimming on my back
until I turn over
and swim on my stomach 

I’m breathing on one side
then the other
taking some on each side 

not even slowing down
when I’m not in a hurry
I don’t have a speedometer 

when the ocean overflows
it lifts me up
all the way 

I think my body
is warmer than the water 

I think the water is warmer
than the air 

I think the air is warmer
than my body

when I’m swimming
from one shore 

to the next shore over
it’s dark in the water
as if I’m swimming
in a shadow 

it’s the wrong season
for lifeguards

________________________________________________________________________________________

Peter Leight lives in Amherst, Massachusetts.  He has previously published poems in Paris Review, AGNI, Antioch Review, Beloit Poetry Journal, New World and other magazines.