5 Last June

Last June, you tumbled under the water
The watchful eye of the sun grew hotter
The tentacle-like spread of your brown curls
Moved in time with the rhythm of the swirls
Overalls stained black clung to my daughter.

One moment here, then a teeter-totter
Blue skin, eyes closed: my heart feels the slaughter
Of nearly losing her, precious as pearls,
Last June.

A sudden rush, a gasped, “I’ve got her!”
You came back to me, my daughter.
Then, the next moment, all a whirl
Hands grasping to save my sweet girl
From unforgiving pool water
Last June.