Gator In The Water

Frozen are my muscles as I leap in,   

He yells at me to hurry because he wants me to win,  

 Each pull leaves me so tired,  

 I remember when I wanted to get in, but it has backfired,   

The waves come crashing cold on my neck,  

Oh how I feel such a wreck,   

The turns leave my empty stomach so nauseous,  

I wish I had eaten before and been more cautious,   

Every kick leaves me out of air,  

My competition is much older and this isn’t fair,  

I thank the water for hiding my tears,   

I feel a ringing begin in my ears,   

The chlorine makes my skin tighter,   

I know I can make it through because I am a fighter,  

I touch the wall and realize I am done,   

The joy that fills me when I realize I have won,   

This is my sport beside it being grim,   

I will love it to the day I die and always swim.