“Paralyzed”
The pool side is stuffy, chlorine fills my nostrils.
I cough; breathing is hard in such an enclosed space.
My books, my shield.
I put them in front of my face, hoping you won’t see me.
Rose Parks stares up at me, seeing through my invisibility.
Laughter, splashing, adult conversations.
You ascend from the pool, your presence is overwhelming.
Those emerald eyes penetrate into every pore of my body,
I am paralyzed.
You stare wanting, or is it waiting, for me to speak,
Show a sign that I am alive
You pause before jumping in.
I’m left behind
With Rose
And you
On my mind.