The Pool

Intoxicating chlorine taste or smell
(It’s in our mouth, nose, eyes)
Suffocates the pureness of summer sweat,
Layered on soft skin, exorcised in rinses.

We do not know what’s underneath -
Surfacing is met with more blue, but below
The sunshine glow permeates, adding something
(Permanence? Energy?) to swimmers.

What is left after towels dry off
Bodies, corrosive abrasions like acid
Ripped from surfaces, or given back
Once the sun slaps rays upon the pool?