no diving

our pool,
our barbed wire contained
pool.
the deepest end, eight feet.
no diving board,
a listless teenager
on the big chair
eating
chips.
a gaggle of kids
near the side,
screaming marco
polo
an million times over.
I jump in.
a whistle blows,
no diving, the guard
yells
pointing at me
as he stands up.
don't hang on the rope.
you're in the lap lanes.
I go under. I hold
my breath
and lie flat on the bottom
hanging onto the grate.
I stare up
through the water,
past the kicking legs,
through the blue,
to an even bluer sky.
i think about how quickly
life moves on.