I apologize, dear swimming instructor,
Though I know not your name.
Nor much else about you.
Time prevents remembrance.
I was frightened of the water, see,
And only wished to dip my feet
Into the roiling abyss
That was the swimming pool.
Can you imagine my panic
When out from the depths
Came a pair of hands
That gripped my legs
And dragged me into the water?
I know now you were only doing your job,
Trying in vain to teach me to swim,
Which is why I am sorry
I pulled your hair
And punched you with my fists
And screamed in your ear ‘til you returned me to the edge,
Exasperated.
I paid you no mind,
My skin relishing the sweet, sharp, scrape of concrete.
And I’m also sorry that I pegged you with a pool toy before you could swim away.
In my defense,
You gave me quite a fright,
It was a long time ‘til I rebuilt the courage
To dip my feet in the pool again.