slick bodies bloom under the sun, unfurling water flirting with coquettish fingers smoothing over pools of flesh, controlled duress— that spark contained within a sudden gasp for breath. covens of skin caressing droplets gleam in light, as clear cavorting waters conjure up your body to the raucous beachy air of mid-july— you look alive. i watch your body glide; it moves in close to mine. i lay reclined; you pull me up, despite my efforts, with your effervescent smile, our intertwined appendages removed from time— you draw me closer to the water. lure me under, sacred steps, one at a time. it licks my calves, and then my chest... so, this is baptism... this is everything... this is summer.