She floats on a worn inner tube,

reeking of rubber

Buoyed by what passes for water,

South Side city lake

dredged for landfill

reefs of discarded tires.

The reason is unknown

why she jumped into the water

especially as she had

no ability to swim.

The dirty lake grasped her

She relaxed in the embrace

Strong arms broke the hold

rescued her from fate

Water still seduces,

though she avoids a relationship,

Alert to the fear

of another near drowning.

Copyright 2018