Nightswimming (R.E.M.)

I swim at night resting on my side

left hand to my right shoulder, right to my left

perfectly straight I glide my legs smoothly up to my head

I see myself walking on a village street

houses on my left, rocky waterfront on my right

I know this place

I think I know this place as an amalgam of two:

mountains of NC or hills of the Finger Lakes

the end is before me and I turn back

Jack is waiting for me with the car

Safely parked and glad that I took this road

I feel proud and brave

He makes me feel proud and brave

emboldened I venture out again further around

the sidewalk is broken and chipped away by the lake

soon I am swimming to reach the village

and there I climb out to see a market or café

and Jack is there with someone else known to me

And there he is smiling with someone known to us

I trudge back wet but not minding so much

these night time swims are largely struggles

I must be working something out as I

pull my knees in to my chest, curl my toes
and rest upon my other side, waiting for tomorrow.