How you remember

And you tread on the water
when you know you can touch the bottom now
it's the southern way, said your mother,
'stay in shallow, shallow water
don't touch the ground'
but then a slithering, sliding form
catches you before you reach the shore
and as he strikes, full of venom
you reach out towards the trouble
you've got him now, but how?
and you thrust him to the sky
arms raised high, you make a y
there is no fear, there is no pain inside
as you twist and write
this is how you remember yourself
arms raised high, needing no help
and you know you can't keep this steady pose
you must release him somehow
but as you loosen your hold
the fight you felt, it is old
it's over now
his body, lifeless and cold
you throw him down
and you raise your arms up to the sky
raised high, you make a y
there is no fear, there is no pain inside
as the sun still shines on these drying lines
this is how you remember yourself
arms raised to heaven, needing no help