Men Swim

1966 I was just 10 years old when Dad said I was ready for the Men Only Swim Hour at the YMCA Downtown where we were members. He had rehearsed proper etiquette with me many times and I was ready, 'Behave as if you are the only one in the pool, greet other men, and go about your business, swim laps' I always most enjoyed the first few moments upon entering the pool area, the heavy, humid air brushing my freedom, a powerful, strangely omnipotent sensation, like this feeling was the natural order for a secret society of male rulers, inviting me into their kingdom to experience truth, if only for an hour. We were all equally noble, wizened and wrinkled sages, lithe and muscled herculeans (my Dad among these) and me...all here just to freely wet the whistle, for an hour.