"Lie back, and the sea will hold you."

[wholesalamander]

First Lesson

By Philip Booth

mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Lie back, daughter, let your head

mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">be tipped back in the cup of my hand.

mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Gently, and I will hold you.  Spread

mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">your arms wide, lie out on the stream

mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">and look high at the gulls.  A dead-

mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">man’s-float is face down.  You will dive

mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">and swim soon enough where this tidewater

mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">ebbs to the sea.  Daughter, believe

mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">me, when you tire on the long thrash

mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">to your island, lie up, and survive.

mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">As you float now, where I held you

mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">and let go, remember when fear

mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">cramps your heart what I told you:

mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">lie gently and wide to the light-year

mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">stars, lie back, and the sea will hold you.