I Came Out Sputtering

Forthy waves fooled me Lulled me into believing there would be warmth I plunged in. My heart nearly stopped. My body nearly frozen In the depths of this dark uninhabited lake What if I die? I wondered Who will find me? No one knew I was here. I could get a cramp. I came out sputtering. The woods were nearly silent. I saw a flicker of a leaf, and then another. My teeth were chattering. I put my head under a second time. It felt warmer now. Something slid past my buttocks. A snake? A turtle? Do they bite? A fish? It seemed warmer. I began slowly swimming. A little algae was on my fingers. I gently flicked it into the waters. Which seemed lighter now. The sun had arrived to watch. I swam into a natural spring. Not hot-tub warm, but warm. Delightful. It was as if I owned the lake And the woods. It was just me and God. I felt better than I had in years. Deciding at that second to swim every morning at this time while I was here. "No one swims at this time of year!" my friend called. Breaking my meditative ponderings. I waved. "I do!" I called. He waved and walked back to the house. Leaving me to my magical thoughts.