Lifeguarding is comprised of life sketches, memories, brief dialogues, both real and imagined.

My hope is that readers of Lifeguarding will find themselves reflecting on how the events of everyday life form us, along with what they might mean.

Lifeguarding is not a book of poetry, but I would like for it to serve a purpose often served by a book of poetry: the inviting of an open and reflective state of mind.

D. Thomas

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Lifeguarding, page one of Section I - The Observing Self:

Well, you know when it’s right

I mean, you feel it… It takes over

It’s not gradual

Not when it hits you this way

You can be on a bus

I was

Just killing time because you’re not a happy person

Not unhappy, either

It’s just that everyone else seems to have a plan

A purpose… Not you

You’re just on the bus

And suddenly -- SHE GETS ON!

Puts coins in the slot like you’ve never seen anyone do

She’s carrying books

You think: That’s a sign!

I mean, you like books

You can see your future now

Like you’ve never seen it before

The whole thing

A cottage

Maybe some kids

A garden

And you don’t like to garden

Plus, you don’t have a job

But that doesn’t matter

Not now

Now that you found your plan

Your life!

You always knew it

You just didn’t know how it was going to happen

I mean, on a bus!

But here it is, at last

Your future!

All those days of doubting

The depression

Deep down, you always knew it would happen

This whole time

Ever since you were young

Copyright (c) D.Thomas, 2026