First Swim In Spring

first swim in spring water black deep as the end of the world. scent of cedar roots ancient tangles that hold the rocks together. pines bent before the wind old crones thin and wrinkled. I wade into the lake submerge feel cold crisp life crackle through me. cleave the silken sheen, strike out for the far shore. slow delicious strokes; left arm raised, dig in flow past my body lift right raise dig in water sings in my ears like lilting ripples of glass chimes. roll float a specklespark sky umbrellas over me the big dipper venus shine we float together loons sing love dirges sad and sweet somewhere a beaver tail slaps a warning into the northern night.