standing on the beach
of a small lake
wading in-
first toes,
then ankles,
then calves,
watching
the light and shadows change
on the sand floor
as the water moves
and small fish move closer,
apprehensive

a young boy runs in to the water
then a little girl jumps in
and another
and another

they move around the water in
quick staccato motions
splashing little bursts with
so much energy,
it’s not proportionate
to how slow they move, then
they come up to the surface
hair plastered to their heads
spitting water at each other

I look over to my friend
water below his knees
grey hairs bright in the sun

another kid jumps in
four feet from us,
splashes water
all over our goosebumps

I look at my friend again
and I say,
        “Remember when we were fearless?”

he looks at me
I look at him
and then we look forward
watching these kids
playing away
and both start laughing
with our arms crossed
standing in the lake
water up to our knees,
in over our heads

Eddie Kilowatt