My Lake

I have a lake

outside my office door

and no matter

what else the day brings

I swim

across the lake and back

flipping from breast stroke to backstroke

silently using the chaplet of divine mercy

to pace my breath

eye level with white lilies in full flower

geese pairing for life in cattails tall

frogs speaking as only frogs can

with bulging yellow cheeks

everything's chatting

I the lone human

flipping

floating

arms spread wide

embracing the heavens

bowled above

full-faced white tufts

of the royalist of blue

toes catch the wind

then

moving again

in great sweeping strokes

breathing in time

praying as all prayer should be

in praise of my elemental cathedral

floating in faith

making waves

propelled by strength.