In Answer To Your Question About Poetry

for Tim

by Sharon Black

You know that feeling when you hold your breath
to stop a fit of hiccups
and your chest hurts and your head swims
like that time you dived from the highest board
to please your dad
and fighting for the surface your lungs were ready to explode
you weren’t sure which way was up
or if you’d even make it and the only thing that mattered
was heading for the light and finally you reach it
you inhale and the dive-board
and the trying to make him proud and the hiccups
are all gone and you’re just there floating?