billy 1

swimming in thunder

Billy says he isn’t sure
and neither am I.
I just can’t see far enough over the ledge
to know. My hands grip the rock,
I’m clinging and wary. Jesus Billy.

“A storm’s comin” he yells,
“let’s do it!” and he’s up
and he jumps. The jump.
Billy screamed. In the air I saw a flash
toward the end of the lake.

Billy emerged laughing
just as thunder cracked overhead.
I looked back, high up to the rock
from where we’d jumped
and thought Jesus Billy.

“C’mon, once more” he screamed.
Jesus Billy.



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