wanted to write about chlorine for weeks
became it for a time
hoping to find caesium
thought it was poetic that it needed completing
considered how the smell doesn’t leave
how when I think of it I think of lifeguarding
how I think of Jamie and the rope
think of chemistry classes
never touched chlorine
but school makes me think of the pool
and the pool makes me think of Jamie
and Jamie makes me think of the rope

can talk about him now
wasn’t on duty