Fading Dreams of a Summer Nymph

jump off the rotting pier
float face down in the lake
your arms and legs 
spread far from your torso

hold your breath and drift 
in the sun swirl near the edges 
under the tree canopies
until you feel the stones 
of others trying to prod you awake

they will watch you 
water dripping down 
your hair face neck
a beautiful lake nymph
rising from long slumber 
wonderous wondering wandering
and they will run away

as you towel yourself dry
see them vanish over the hill
their princess cloaks 
turning yellow in the sunshine

they will break their barbies in two
throw away the bottom 
and keep the smiling top 
firmly suctioned to their play desks 
in memory of the nymph

but you will walk home alone
dry and sad and hurting 
seeing that your grandmother has 
hung your next days church clothes
on the hook outside your wardrobe 
over the full length mirror 

you walk to her room to say goodnight
but she has fallen asleep her face 
facing the hallway and her hands
in soft long prayer on the silk pillow

when you go to kiss her you notice 
the stalks and red leaves on the columbine 
atop her dresser have overgrown 
the old rugged cross just behind