Prompt:

(Verse 1) Cold blue water at the backyard pool, Tiny feet dangling at the edge after school, Feeling the water rush against her skin, Laughing before she finally jumped in. I’d catch her every time she lost her nerve, Tell her, “Kiddo, trust the water first,” But her Zaydi taught her how to float and glide, Calm as the morning with the whole lake in his eyes. (Pre-Chorus) Now she moves through the water smooth and free, Half wild current, half memory, From chlorine walls to northern skies, Dragonflies and summer nights. (Chorus) And she swims… From the swimming pool to the open lakes, Trading concrete edges for the rolling waves, With her friends all laughing off the dock, Skipping stones and watching sunset clocks. Country roads and wet towels in the sand, Little footprints and my outstretched hand, And I hold onto every single moment I can, Watching my little girl swim again. (Verse 2) Now the lakes are where she comes alive, Diving clean where the cedar shadows hide, Bonfire smoke and the loon calls low, Stars reflecting where the cold streams flow. Sometimes she swims right out beside me slow, Just to whisper things only daughters know, And every summer seems to move too fast, So I breathe it in and try to make it last. (Bridge) Her Zeidie smiling from the shoreline there, Watching sunlight dancing through her hair, Three generations standing by the shore, Connected by the water evermore. And someday when she’s older on her own, Maybe these lakes will still feel like home, Maybe she’ll hear our laughter in the waves, Carried through the bays. (Final Chorus) Yeah she swims… Like the river knows exactly who she is, Strong and free with a fearless little grin, Creator’s water shining on her face, Moving with the rhythm of the waves. And every splash echoes generations deep, In the lakes and hearts we’re meant to keep, And I thank the sky for letting me be The dad beside her memory.