Deep End

Deep End

Always keep a 5 dollar bill with you for the summer. The lifeguard told a group to keep conversation PG for this “family place.” Shallow end closed on Mondays. “Let’s go to Pool Burger” “I don’t know what that is.” “They have drinks” Watched two lovers hug by the towels, walk to the ledge, and the girl jumps in first. The girl group I decided to sit by beaded in a circle in earnest for the full hour I have been here. I jumped in once, for my health, and my iPhone kismet died for 5 minutes before close.

I feel safe laying my self next to the girls who are figuring out where to eat based on the salsa, rating them against each other, full volume restaurant names, I’m listening. S/O to the girl reading Trick Mirror today, I see you, girl and her BF reading Slouching

Hearing people say “I think we’re friends now” about a mutual friend and the other responding, agreeing wholeheartedly, life from here— A man reading specifically the end of a backpocket paperback Michael Crichton’s Jurassic Park on his back under 102° sun! Survival! A full grown man text *me* without sarcasm to ask what my favorite color is—I’m dying out here.

(2022)