Merboy in Red Swim Shorts

 

Hair, wafting light as sea lichen

Frames your ceiling bound gaze.

Surface tension strives to reunite

Waters broken by your smiling,

Half submerged, moon reflection face.

Gently I float you, cradling my hands

Under the delicate skin of your back

For as long as you will let me.

A passing swimmers careless wave

Floods your nose, so you kick your legs

And break my hold on you.

Chlorine drops anoint your shining head

As you push off from the cool tiled side,

Ungainly but determined.