I never swam in the Mediterranean,
where Sciacca fishermen dot
the azzura blue green horizon line.
Before dawn and beyond dusk.

I never swam in the Mediterranean,
Even a feeble hitchhiking attempt
some three decades ago.
Now seven winter weeks
and five thousand kilometers.

I never swam in the Mediterranean,
a beach of rounded marble stones and sand…
…until today.

having arrived
15 march 09