too many rungs

(based on a true story)


rung after rung
one foot up then another
it was going well when
suddenly small legs froze

“GO!”
“I can’t believe you!”

and it’s up another
few rungs dread exuding
from wobbly legs

“GET UP!”

pink humiliation
painted her son’s face


“Listen, we can try the dive next lesson.”

To the coach, “He’s being stupid.”
Turning to her child, “Do it, NOW.”


head hanging, heart sunk
he ascends one more rung
but that is all the small swimmer
can muster before dejectedly
descending the ladder

the ranting mother’s cruel
criticism nears crescendo
as she marches her crestfallen
son toward the locker room