Startled awake

my wife listens

 

for a second cry

and sends me

into night.

In wet grass I stand

 

and shine

the long beam

 

of my flashlight

over the yard and up

 

into a tree that reaches

toward my house.

 

Her shadow swims

over gauze curtains

 

and suddenly I realize

I cannot swim.

 

Photo By: Thomas Quine