NaPoWriMo 20

Childhood

No doubt, one of his drawings shows
an empty brown boat and triangles
above blue pointed waves—Sharks!
he says. He is my little ship at sea,
trying to stay afloat when the current
in him tells him to capsize.

I imagine he and his sister are underneath
with a pocketful of air, just enough
to get them through anything.
They seem fine yet below the surface
they dog paddle for dear life. Don’t worry.
Don’t panic, I say. It’s only water.

And sharks. Don’t forget the sharks.