Who Are You?

6.45am, text from Amy:
Swim? Beach in 10?

pull duvet firmly
over my head
like a lid
body wriggles down
savouring the final warmth
can't contemplate the cold just yet!

grope in the darkness for the phone:
Sure! See you in the water!

pull down my hat (red
hers is yellow)
with a slap
goggles the final transformation
now an amphibian being
wade in

and face down into the wonderful endlessness
arms start their motions
steam boat, full power ahead!
one two three breath
exhale two three
breath

world a spinning chaos
I'm just arms circling, pulling at the water
feet kicking
body rolling
with every stroke

inky green two three breath -
and glimpse the shore
sunlight turning the green into
blue, yellow
turquoise, azure
white, grey

and two three
look up/ yellow buoy's in sight/ breath
head down, two three
only 20 more strokes to go
and we're out at sea
looking at the land.