Rec Swim

 
running down 103rd and Century
the gathering point of the summer
the hottest hang out spot
to keep cool
everyone runs past to enjoy
people from all around the
community
old, young, boys girls,
Black, white, Mexican
gathering against a common enemy:
the sun beating down on our backs
standing guard on my high chair,
seeing characters pass by
Marquez with his gang always causing trouble
Daniele with her little ones
teaching
them to swim
the old bearded guy
that looks like Jesus
always swimming his broken stroke
rec swim is a time to gather
to forget your worries
and to enjoy together
the pool’s been around
around and around
it’s been here since before
most of us were born
gathering the community time
and time again
generation after generation
keeping us cool
staying the gathering spot
of the summer
still being the hottest hangout
spot to keep cool

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(Featured image from Pexels)