TWENTY
I mistook the film of duckweed
on the surface of the water
in the ancient reservoir
for old concrete, green paint peeling,
an abandoned swimming pool
worthy of a short explore.
down the stairs, I stepped into
the cold surprise. I still recall
the murky underwater green,
the thought, so this is drowning.
now I chalk it up as learning,
error by error growing wise,
as it’s true that I’ve had plenty,
with better vision now than ever
hindsight being twenty-twenty.