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June’s warm sun had made the lake inviting
“Let’s swim across,” I said without a care
“But it looks quite far to the other side,”
He replied meekly; I issued a dare

For five-hundred yards he followed behind
Splashing, perhaps gasping, I could not tell
That swimming was not my fiancé’s forte
But when he cried, “Help,” I knew all too well

“I’m not gonna make it,” he said with resolve
“Don’t say that, just lie on your back and float!”
A trained lifeguard, I pull him toward shore
He was tall but not too heavy to tote

Just thirty feet left when underwater weeds
Reached up and touched him like snakes below
He struggled, then sank in murky water
I dove, could not find him.  Where did he go?

Other swimmers came quickly, offered aid
At least a dozen were searching the lake
A phone call was made, help was on the way
Precious minutes passed, I started to shake

Beachgoers organized a rescue effort
It took a human chain to find my man
But far too much time had passed since he sank
Soon nightmares relived the day I lost Dan

I shouldered the burden and blamed myself
For not listening when he expressed concern
The lake was too wide, his skills too meager
It took much therapy to come to terms

And learn from this very costly mistake
That others know their limits better than I
His parents sought answers; what could I say?
Now in his memory I exhale a sigh

But never since have I encouraged friends
To join my pursuits that are out of their reach
I offer prayers nightly, shed some tears too
And each June Third I place a cross on the beach



True story for Laura's "Recovery from Life" challenge.

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