Face in the water

A bottle of whiskey.
Yes, I promised Alan that
if he could teach me to swim.

Glide!
Streamlined, like sharks,
arms straight ahead,
hands pointed front,
legs straight,
feet pointed back.

With more confidence,
less panic,
more lung control,
we could kick off the side -
in the shallow end, of course,
and usually get to the other side.
Or just stand up, splutter, and laugh.

It even worked, eventually,
lenthwise in the pool -
swimming towards the shallow end,
of course.
When we relaxed, we could glide well
over half way, before cocking it up
trying to make strokes.

So, yes, here I go again:
kicking off from the side.
But at least I know I can write
doggy-paddle.