Old Timers

Frailing arms move in circles
keeping old flesh warm
in summer's first outing
to the pool

Green film swamped you all winter
weekend scrubbing, licks of paint
disguised your flaws
Nobody guessing your age

Leaves missing from September,
through to May
are dragged to the surface
Dead on arrival

Blossoms fall
lightly upon your back
silently waking you
to swimmers delight

The water bites
all over your body
waken from hibernation
anxious to please

Breast crawling to the cherry tree
breathing deeply now
the water brings you
to a warmer place.

^

Biography

Kerri Judge was born upside down in 1969. She lives in Dublin and writes in spare rooms.