You’ve got this.
You’ve got this. You
absolutely
haven’t
got this.
Cold air, cold pool, cold
Diving
Block. Stop
Shivering, you’re going to topple. Stop
Shivering, don’t ruin this. Mom will lecture
About wasting time and money and effort, and Dad
Will lock himself in his room and refuse
To come out for dinner and have to see his
Failure of a daughter.
Streamline
Extend your arms and legs.
My feet are numb. Please
Don’t start. I don’t want to do this.
Just get it over with. Blow the whistle!
What if I
don’t win? What if I
don’t win? What if I’m
A disappointment again? What if my
Hand slips and some other kid ends
Up with a gold ribbon and I only silver or even
Bronze?
Please thunder. Please thunder. Please
Start a big storm with lightning that will
Ruin the pool, make a big hole,
Cancel this meet and the rest of the season.
Remember what
Mom said: streamline more
during dolphin.
Extend.
How can I extend when I’m freezing? I can see my breath.
How can I extend when my fingers are numb?
The parka’s on the bleachers when you’re done.
The parka, but no parents.
Mom and dad should be there but they
Aren’t.
They can’t extend themselves to watch?
They can’t be supportive for ten minutes?
Does it take effort to show up?
Do they think I’m a waste of their time?
Am I that much of a failure?
Do I look like a disappointment?
There’s the signal.
You've got this.
Remember to sprint. Remember to reach out. Remember to extend.
THREE! TWO! ONE!
WHISTLE!
ICE WATER!
forgot
to
extend.