Lesson

When his mother pushes, he resists.
"Lean back, I've got you. I won't let go," she coaxes.
On his back he struggles to stay high in the water.
"Stretch your neck out, stick your chin up.
I've got you," she lies.
When he relaxes, just a little,
she withdraws the supporting arm.
He chokes on water and cries,
"That's enough. No more swimming lessons!"

She retreats to a lounge chair in the sun.
He plays, steering a toy boat at the side of the pool.
Soon he calls, "Mom, watch this!" and
he dunks his head under the water,
lifts it up and grins.
Beaming, she claps her hands.

"Get ready, get set, go!" and
he races another five-year-old into the pool.
Later, he flops over sideways in the water,
then kicks and squirms to the other side.
For an encore he performs an underwater somersault.