MONSTER?

Clear, clean swiftly flowing waters

Beneath which lay a fearful darkness

Where perhaps some strange fearful beast lay

Could one enter, not to ever leave?

Cowards would not dare attempt this stream.

From where will come the needed strength

To conquer the creature in that dark?

Bound so to the bosom had been this lad,

Afraid to venture in, impelled to try

Till his fate changed when two older brothers

Intervened, led him into this stream

Far out to where that fearful beast might be

Then stepped away from the frightened boy

Not too far for a quick return

But far enough to force our hero’s hand.

Looking down and all about the lair

Nowhere could he see any monster lurking there.

Joyfully, he leaped to the water’s surface

And began to swim as though he always could.

His monster had been an innate fear

Of failing to swim alone without helping hands.

Only now did the summer belong to him

As he swam and splashed with such quiet joy

Because his beast had been that inner fear

Of never learning how to swim alone.