Vox Populi
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Michael Simms: The Summer You Learned to Swim
For Lea
.
The summer you learned to swim
was the summer I learned to be at peace with myself.
In May you were afraid to put your face in the water
but by August, I was standing in the pool once more
when you dove in, then retreated to the wall saying
You forgot to say Sugar! So I said Come on Sugar, you can do it
and you pushed off and swam to me and held on
laughing, your hair stuck to your cheeks—
you hiccupped with joy and swam off again.
.
And I dove in too, trying new things.
I tried not giving advice. I tried waking early to pray. I tried
not rising in anger. Watching you I grew stronger—
your courage washed away my fear.
.
All day I worked hard thinking of you.
In the evening I walked the long hill home.
You were at the top, waving your small arms,
pittering down the slope to me and I lifted you high
so high to the moon. That summer all the world
was soul and water, light glancing off peaks.
You learned the turtle, the cannonball, the froggy, and the flutter
and I learned to stand and wait for you to swim to me.
From American Ash (Ragged Sky, 2020). Copyright Michael Simms.
Michael Simms is the founder and editor of Vox Populi. He lives in Pittsburgh.
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“…you hiccupped with joy and swam off again.”
Fear is such a waste of time, of now. Deep thanks for this poem, Michael. I’m coming to it late, but not too late I hope….
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Thank you, Louise. Praise from you is a special privilege, Maestra!
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What a lovely, tender poem, Michael.
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Thank you, Terry!
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What a rich and emotionally resonant poem. Thank you, Michael, for this gift.
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Thank you, Ed, for your generous comment.
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Sweet, tender, lively and loving poetry.
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Thank you, Marina!
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all the world was soul and water: this is lovely michael. and for better or worse, the learning never stops. take care
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Thank you so much, Abby. As you know, I’m a big fan of your writing.
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Oh Michael, this is gorgeous.
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Thank you so much, Laura. It’s an important poem for me.
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Took my breath away with its stunning beauty, Michael. WOW.
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Thanks, Michelle. I appreciate your saying so.
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Michael – I remember how much I liked this when I read it earlier in your poetry collection. Thanks very much for giving me the very same pleasure again. It continues to be one of my favorite Michael Simms poems!
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Thank you so much, Jackie. I appreciate our long friendship!
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Wow. I love this. The time of learning as a parent at the time of learning of your child. And now the youngest grandchild is off to middle school and I must wait
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Thanks, Barbara. Yes, I learned a great deal from my children.
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A lovely poem, Michael. Bravo!
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Thanks, Henry. I love your poems as well.
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This so moved me, Michael, thank you for posting!
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Thank you, Noelle! — Michael
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An echo here of Milton’s “They also serve who only stand and wait,” perhaps?
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I hadn’t thought of that, John. Thanks!
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Brings back sweet memories for many of us, I’m sure.
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Thanks, Mel
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Such a beautiful poem, Michael. It captures my heart. Thank you for sharing it with all of us.
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Thank you so much, Susie. It’s an important poem for me.
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I second my friend Susie!
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Thank you so much, Laure-Anne!
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