The body
needs
heeding
carrying the mind
on a journey
across a bumpy horizon
my feet unpainted
calloused knuckle-toed
boney
thank you flippers
in the cold
ocean two salmon
swimming upstream
without a GPS
thank you
for taking me
through
my learning years
falling standing
paddles splashing
the waves
rising again
going under
drying
on the towel
you are a mermaid’s
tail awaiting
the sea
to call you
you rise and run
grains sticking
as you sink
leaving prints
for someone else
to trace
the dance
you’ve made
pool lanes
grass lawns
pavements
down the aisle
feet lifeguards
watching
I don’t drown
how I truly
love you
my sweet feet
through
dense forests,
down ski slopes
miles of city
blocks
when I lotion
you each night
I thank the diamond
stars
you are my feet
