Rinse and Repeat | Teen Ink

Rinse and Repeat

July 28, 2014
By knib12 SILVER, Milton, Massachusetts
knib12 SILVER, Milton, Massachusetts
5 articles 0 photos 3 comments

Warmup feels like forever
Stroke sets for time
Sprint sets for time
Kick sets for time
Everything's on time
But you barely make it
That heavy feeling when you get out of the pool
Like you are human again
Can't lift an arm with all that gravity
Stand wobbly on the blocks
Afraid to put your goggles back on
Dive in anyway
Feel so much better, so free
Weightless and
Happy and
Sprinting
Cool down feels too short
Don't want to get out
Do anyway
Change, eat, homework, sleep
Rinse and repeat


The author's comments:
I broke my femur when I was four years old. The doctors told my parents to take me to the pool as physical therapy, a way to strengthen my leg without reinjuring it. I've been swimming ever since. This is my seventh year swimming competitively, and I still fall in love with the sport every day.

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This article has 1 comment.


on Aug. 4 2014 at 12:40 pm
EmilytheBelleofA. DIAMOND, Athens, Georgia
81 articles 5 photos 1486 comments

Favorite Quote:
To love is to be vulnerable; Triumph is born out of struggle; We notice shadows most when they stand alone in the midst of overwhelming light.

This is so true! Being in the pool, just relaxes you and makes all the bad downs far away. You described the feeling so well, and I'm glad you love swimming. Swimming is a awesome sport. Thank you for sharing your wonderful poem!