how do you explain to someone

who has never played

in the soothing Northern lakes

the gentle beauty

of immersing yourself?

explain the silky blue,

the upper layer of the water

that bathes the body

in calm, relaxing waves.

gently, your arms move soft circles

through clear blue water, encompassing.

explain diving down

into the yellow, dusty haze,

the water that paints

the entire body yellow-brown,

that turns the rocks upside down.

the sunlight streams upwards,

moving from the dark

below, illuminating the sky.

(not vice versa)

explain exhaling,

sinking down

until far above is the window of light,

all around is black,

an inky nothing underneath

threatening to engulf.

the light dissipates;

you are left

suspended in a thick blanket

of night, darker than dreams,

the single window of daylight

available with one

upward pulse.

explain the temperature

of the water,

melting from warm soothing

to cold shock

away from the summer heat.

diving from the searing sun

and lackadaisical heat

into an icy bath, a fluid blanket

offering instant relief

from summer passion.

explain to someone

who has never played in the beautiful Northern lakes

the sensual experience

of swimming in Nature's womb.