you felt the straining in your arms,
vibrations in your legs,
and pride of power when
you finally learned just how to stand

and like a lot of things, you know
you loved it when you did it;
but can’t remember why you quit,
nor can the kid inside you understand

for summer days are still alive,
and you still have the fervor —
and if you cannot ski or drive,
you might be the observer

to help somebody else to learn
the same things that you did;
the pure joy of achievement:
water skiing as
a kid