David Hockney

Anne in the Water 

At home with her secret
aqua shoes nowhere near, 
she flashes in her pool,
slicing edge to edge
faster than normally allowed.

Anne's mother watches from the window
hating the uncomfortable speed.
Those webs on her daughter's feet
will become the doctor's problem
this summer.

At the ocean to celebrate
Anne has different plans.
Sand grinds her hidden scars, 
she stuffs rocks between her toes 
and waves a flawless arm to Mother.

Anne hugs the wave, thanking it
for not raising an eye. 
She nurses the watery anesthesia.
Through the drowse of soaked lungs
the ripples of excitemnt overcome her.
She is calmed by her slow forward crawl.

Carrie Cerri


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