Splash! 

In head first I went.

The water in the pool 

was more of a cold-brewed coffee 

and my goggles were foggy 

like the clouds in polluted cities.

As I swam, the water was tickling me 

and the lane lines were grasping to my legs.

But I knew I had to keep swimming

or the person

behind me

was going to lap me

just like in life.

Arms ache

stomach hurts

back stings

foot stiffs

nobody  C A R E S

keep swimming

just like in life.

Each stroke

each move

each kick

is balanced.

Control your breath

control your pace

too much of this

too much of that

would send me to the bottom of the pool

just like in life.

The WALL comes close

I have to flip turn

but I’m scared

I’ll miss the wall.

The WALL comes closer,

I don’t want to do it

But I still have to do it,

Or else I will

 HIT

The wall.

Coach said

NEXT WEEK

we'll have a SWIM MEET

we’re expected to be there at 7:15 sharp.

Next week passes as if I was just a minute

and the next hour

I’m already on the

STARTING BLOCKS.

My heart beats

faster every time

a second

passes.

BEEP!

I take a leap

into my darkest hours

and 

    D

           I

                 V

                       E

                                  I

                                      N

                                          T

                                             O

                                                         the pool.

Splish! Splash!

Every second

I get closer to the

WALL.

BAM!

I touch it, milliseconds behind the guy. 

He had beaten me 

by a length of a 

flea.

A year later,

I see that guy.

The guy, milliseconds away

on the blocks,

with me.

I then say to myself,

“Start Again,

try harder,

and beat the guy. Just like in life.”