Rounds

The ruffled hem floats
as you spin.
Of them all,

 
the one you like
most.
The ruffled hem, as you

 
spin, opens
around your waist,
floats

 
in the air.
Red. You laugh.
Son, you wear

 
that dress
less
and less these days.

 
*
 

The teacher splits
the class in two—
boys, girls—and you

 
don’t know
where to stand—the boys
on one side,

 
the girls—in two.
The teacher points
to either side

 
of the room,
the boys
and girls,

 
and you—

 
*
 

The dog waits
at the edge
of the pool. You dive,

 
determined to
touch
the bottom

 
in your body,
in your body, dive
deeper, the dog

 
watching from
the edge,
your clothes

 
at her feet where
you left them.