After a choice, calm. Beyond 
the ropes, beyond the purview 
of the lifeguard, belonging in
the boundless.

All roads lead to Rome.
All water feels like home:

We return and return and erase
motion with movement. 

Intuition is not always rational,
but neither is it irrational,
the professor said. 

No paths or routes here,
courses set by wind 
and current, lines 
drawn and gone,

my arms reciting 
a swimmer’s geometry,
every angle opening
in time with my breath.