to swim upstream

I have never felt so bold in my life, a current to catch the edges of my lips and pull them apart into a grin, a force they call gravity pressing me upwards off of my feet. This could be a salmon’s sole goal, a sea creature’s saddest hour and a bear’s best meal.

I am taking myself upstream, beating myself bloody to make it to where I want to be

and I am not scared or seamless or sunburnt or senseless

I am simply in love.