Can a Pool Sparkle, and a Poem Shine? Nov. 1, 2022

I drain the pool’s water

with a pump that must be

unplugged before it sucks air

at the same time shedding

lots of slippery ideas to

hopefully leave a good one

then it’s critical when

filling the pool to not let

water pass the middle tile line

while I try to judge

the right moment

to stop writing

later there’s the chemicals

in the right amount

at the right time

as I balance words with order

edits with add-ons

when pool is done

and pen has written

it’s difficult to know

if either or neither

will make the shy or curious

lean over the edge

and jump in