Jumping from the bank into the river

near where we all lived

Summer days, humid, stifling,

finding the only respite around

Taking turns diving in

while the rest watched excitedly

Sparing a few seconds to appreciate birds

crossing high from one treetop to the other

The soft whisper of wind seemed to speak to us

and approve of our folly

Those days were the launch of our lives,

reserved to daring, juvenile to adult

Auspicious and untethering