swimming lessons

the boy tossed
into the lake, can't swim,
but the father
says swim boy, swim,
move your arms
your legs.
this is what life is.
the boy goes under,
thrashing,
gasping for air,
gulping in the cold
brown water.
swim, he says, swim,
using the oar
to keep his small
fingers
from gripping
from the boats edge.
kick those legs boy,
move those arms,
you have to want it.
you have to want to
not drown and die,
now swim boy, swim.
you can be me,
if you try.