Overcoming

- Eliana Birman (New Jersey, USA)

i made the mistake of jumping into a pool

without realizing that i had forgotten how to swim

my arms flail

i struggle to keep my head above water

i panic

i splutter

i choke on the water as it rushes past my lips

my limbs are unmoving

i almost drown

but people don’t just forget how to swim

people don’t just give up

i wiggle a finger

and my wrist begins to move

my elbow lifts above the surface

i suddenly remember

it takes a minute to shake off the panic

but i take one stroke, 

two, 

three

i make it to the pool’s edge

catch my breath

and swim 

i swim one lap,

two, 

three

and i don’t want to stop swimming anymore

i don’t regret jumping