I was afraid…

one of the events of the season – the annual skinny dip.

me, herring pond, hopefully the sun.

at the least, a full moon.

not a euphemism.

daylight hours now gone,

my swim swimsuit still on.

i gathered my nerve

daring myself to jump.

my fear of the water,

and what it might contain,

snapping turtles specifically,

anchored me to the dock.

i turned,

prepared to walk away

from the pond,

before changing direction.

i closed my eyes

stepped to the edge

of the faded wooden planks

and jumped.