The Hand

You stand surveying the water
You gingerly tip your toe in
It’s cold, at the moment
The warmer it is, the colder the water seems
You want to jump in
But some unseen hand holds you back
Once again you try
The hand won’t let go
Finally you manage to break free
For a split second
You are neither on earth nor are you in the water
Then you crash onto the surface
And for a few seconds
You disappear under water
God, it’s cold
You break surface again gasping, laughing and shouting in one
And within seconds you are one with the water
You extol the beauty and enjoyment to all that will listen
Some respond and others smile and turn away
It is not enough to stay in
You have to go through this same challenge
Over and over again
The hand plays with you everytime