A Father

.

Pahn has crossed under the insulated wire at the boundary

of the map of his childhood yard…

…he is swimming
among icebergs ..........in deep
........and obscure water
...............................................There are
young people ..........around him
following
............................the poetry instructor

The water is dark .....at first
and cloudy..............................
then alternately......
arctic blue........................................
Pahn has a sense
..........................of a blue woman nearby

The water is not cold
and when
he pushes against ......a large iceberg
.....................................to see if he can move it

his hands...................................................
sink into slush............................

He pushes it
.................toward
...............the open ocean ........but worries
that it may

...................collide with a boat

He grabs another....smaller iceberg..............
..............................................to use.. as a float
....................................but when he pulls it
................beneath him
it begins to sink.......................
and when he rescues it
and brings it back
...........................................to the surface
it is an infant
swaddled in wet cotton

.............He starts to swim ...toward
............dry land .....but is caught
in a tangle of laces ...and shoes
on the feet of other students...................
stuck on another sinking chunk.....................................
of ice...........................................................................
and he has to free himself..................................................
with one hand .........as he holds
......................................the baby above water
with the other

.
..........Successfull

...................he glides
.....................................to the surface
.........................................................again

a father
.