Swimming in Varna

I see my father swimming
in his hotel swimming pool
later they walk to the sea
as he is swimming
my mother swims next to him
on her right shoulder there are small scars
left by our dog at a time
his Newfoundland ancestry suddenly reduced
to his webbed feet entangled under water

my father swims and he could swim for hours
he immerses himself under water
now that I remembered that black dog
I think that he, too, is like one
slight fear always there on his amazed face
freckles that cover my mother's peach coloured skin
are glistening in the sun
it's hard to know who is guarding who