
the worst. The tentative step in oh,
it's cold water as it tastes feet, grabs at
ankles, nibbles its way up to knee,
thigh, crotch, waist: can't do this,
can't. The back twitches as the wet
creeps further up the spine; nipples
held back by a thin resolve of color
shrivel in protest. Body shivers with
the dread of okay, now. N o w. On
three. One. Two still too -- O N E.
Two. Threeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
OH that's cold. Teeth are chattering,
skin turning blue and goosefleshed:
but doesn't that water feel ... g r e a t?
(c) 2009, Karla Dorman