When I Swam for the Dolphins

by William Powley

My mom could sleep all night

without waking

except when my ear

ached hard and hurt so

that I became a nightmare

to my brothers,

with a water-logged ear.

She stood up and made medicine,

while I lay down,

my head aching side up.

Bending she poured liquid drops

into my eardrum.

I waited for a pop

and the wet to dry

and it was over.

What she whispered was softer

than eardrops and better than a dream.

Photograph by Chad Lewis Mosher

Art by Clayton F. Merrell

Art by Marcia Williams