She is one of the "Sea Cobras,"
A not-so-reptilian bunch as they dig
  their spaded hands into the water.
Bubbles rise with each motion.

I watch from the parents' window.
Some dive clean,
Some hit the water flat
  with a slapping sound.

As with all else,
My Elizabeth is methodical.
She is devoted to her breathing,
She studies each stroke,
She surmises each kick.

The Sea Cobras sit at the rim of the pool, 
Colored swim caps bobbing,
A shove here, a tickle there,
They giggle, then get up,
Tense their toes against the edge,
Then leap off, 
Splash, bubbles,
Go 20 yards to the other end.


2/12/98

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