Kim Irvine Poet Free verse

Teaching By Immersion

Teaching by Immersion
(A poem for my dad…)

When I was young
On the tiny island of Tonga
My dad taught me to swim
“Swim”
He said as he threw me 
From the back of the boat

As the water closed
Over my head
I felt
Free
I wasn’t afraid
I knew I could hold my breath 
until someone above panicked
and
my dad would crash 
into the water and lift me into the sun
I don’t remember ever
Being taught how to swim
I simply remember waiting
Calmly
In the blue green blur
For my dad
And 
The sun…

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Michael Jordan February 11, 2009 at 3:44 PM Kim that certainly does tell a tale of how brave and trusting one girl is (That would be you). You must love your father a great deal - I never had the chance to meet my Dad but if I had I would have hoped that I would come to love him as you do yours - From what I understand he was a real good Man - God Bless, MJ

Belinda Parish February 11, 2009 at 1:38 PM I see a little humor at the beginning. But I liked the rest of it as well. Good write Kim

Michael Degenhardt February 11, 2009 at 12:16 PM So then it taught patience? Well that's a good thing to learn too LOL Love the directness and clarity of this write and the understanding that you had even as a child. Michael