Beryl

Beryl bounced once in the old days

rebounded for a second, third,

this final time upon the board

outstretching her muscular arms,

lengthening her growing body,

she flew upward and out into

the April air tucking her knees

to her chest tightly embracing 

legs frequently tumbling over,

straightening her body at the

final moment the trajectory 

curled toward the water in the

local swimming pool. Dr Davies watched

her gracefully enter the hole 

she drilled deep in the blue aqua. 

As coach, he suggested points to

consider on her climb to the

plank for her fourteenth encore. 

The diver and the boy cadet

were fifteen years — separated

by maturing youthful grace.