the dive

the boy
drowning
screamed
in the middle
of the pool
thrashing his
arms as if bitten
by a shark.
despite not knowing
how to swim
he gathered his
nerve and dove off
the board into
the  deep end.
a lifeguard jumped
off his chair
and pushed
him three feet
to the side.
then moved his
fifty pounds
up and over
onto the concrete
apron.
children gathered
to look at
his white face
in shock
his eyes lit up
twice their
normal size
and at his mother
yelling at him,
what are you
crazy, or something.