In this heat I find
a slight ache
at the top of my breath
like what’s induced by smog
or chlorine, fixtures of my childhood summers
where laughter bounced in water echoes
around the family pool
and the splashing plunge
brought sweet relief
from heat we watched evaporate
the water we spread thin
along the dark pool edge
while we rested, getting ready
for the next dip

Now I allow myself
the full breath, up and into the ache
because of that feeling’s bridge
to early days.

©Wendy Mulhern
June 29, 2015