Pushing Too Hard

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.