Brace

Water laps at the sides of my face, threatening to wash over my cheeks. As I lose myself in the grey expanse of the ceiling, muted sounds flow through the pool. Muscles in my waist feel stretched as they make the turn to my legs which cant my boat away from me. In my hands is the paddle I don’t really need, one end by my hips the other angling off over my shoulder. The blade slides easily back and forth across the surface of the water with minimal direction. I bob as more muted sounds make their way through the water to my ears. Someone is having fun splashing around. My eyes close. I am relaxed, enjoying a private moment of balance.