Michigan Sky
Oil on canvas, 40” x 40”
Laura Eyring
SWIMMING
—
Christopher Danzig
i’m sitting in the hot tub at the Las Brisas Inn
listening to a couple of teenage sisters
splash around with their brother
who can’t really swim.
they start doing cannonballs
where the pool is eight feet deep
while the oldest films with a gopro.
she won’t dive,
because she still has fake eyelashes on.
my own eyes are closed, but i listen
for unhappy gurgling or
however a drowning child sounds.
i don’t know why, but
i like to wait for disaster
when everyone else is having a good time.
as the boy awkwardly dog paddles
to the rounded edge of the pool
i try to remember the CPR class i took
back in high school:
are you supposed to push so hard
you break the kid’s ribs? that can’t be right.
while I’m wondering how long it would take
for an ambulance to get here,
also curious if it matters
that i don’t know the hotel’s address,
the siblings climb out of the pool, laughing;
they go back to their room,
shower, and order some pizza.
my eyes haven’t opened yet,
the wind picks up,
and I’m alone again in the sun.
Christopher Danzig
Christopher Danzig is a writer and musician in Oakland, CA. As a founding member of Down and Outlaws, Danzig spent a decade touring, gigging, and putting out music. Danzig has performed at Outsidelands, SXSW, and on Last Call with Carson Daly. Danzig currently works as a criminal defense investigator.
Laura Eyring
Laura Eyring is a graduate of the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts and the University of Pennsylvania. She lives in Mt. Airy with her husband and two teenagers.
Laura Eyring