There is constant tension around the pool,
Yet the adrenalin is pumping in your veins
We are always ready for something in life - like a dramatic gunshot before a race,
However, a false start will set you back.

We are always eager at the beginning of a project, like diving into the pool, but how long can we keep this up?

The focus is on the finishing line, but there is always a sense of doubt in our minds.
You try not to compare yourself with the swimmer next to you, as your eyes glance in their direction while gasping for air.
Comparisons will be your downfall.

Often, you can see your goal in the distance, but negativity creeps in because there are always massive obstacles to get over.
You are edging forward, but tiring out at the same time in the chlorinated scented water.
Staying positive does not come easy when you are a step behind.

i don't think i ever meant to love you
everything was planned out
1. go to school
2. get good grades
3. go to college
4. see the world
there was no time for someone like you
no room for someone like you
no purpose
but you were either gonna be in my life or not
all or nothing
black and white no ifs and buts
i held you by the ankle and submerged you
we were swimming in the pool of paradise
not even thinking about what lay beneath
the darkness of drowning in our hedonistic ways
our doom didn't lie in the water but in ourselves
we ****** the fountain of youth dry until our bellies were overflowing
until there was nothing left
there was nothing left
i loved you
but i didn't meant to

Bathing in love/ your idea of it
Focused ******* that steady change
Just my size of box - a stepping point
Floating off from the rocks , open cove
There was always- something , cope.
/Paint me a picture/under fresh pine
way under the woody black faded from this green of desolate trees
Ship rock down the shore forgotten
Your plot of wood and cliff / faded from view as every day is now
Our newpine friend jutting out of rock / fifty meters from the seahouse
Something maybe in your tone- bubbles of soap- darkly the ocean
Salt water kisses and something about conquering fear or dread
One of the consequent
Black and white swirls
Has me laying around
All these messages left
Im on my way out
Afraid of burning bridges
And open water

Moonlight swimming
bodies of shadow
wet skin-bright cloth

1 ripple, 2 ripple,3-
thousand yards of straight swimming
water and waves
work outs seem to last for days
races short as nights

I was dreaming,
That I was a bird.
I was a bird,
Flying higher and higher.
And I reached so high,
That I couldn't breathe any more.
I tried to turn back,
Back to the ground,
And suddenly the earth's gravity,
Pulled me hard;
I came crashing down!
I closed my eyes with my wings,
And woke up with a jolt,
I had my hands on my eyes,
And I was crying.
I cried so much,
The my tears flooded the room.
I opened the room,
And ran out,
But my tears flooded the whole place;
I started drowning in my own tears,
I could hardly breathe!
I tried hard to swim to the top,
There was no stopping,
The only way was to fly off,
From this flood of tears.
I flapped my hands,
With all my might,
But the tears entered me,
And filled in my lungs.
I woke up with a shock,
Flapping my fins,
As hard as I could.

Alas, I don't know,
Whom am I,
A bird, a man or a fish?
Or is this all a dream?

Whose dream am I dreaming?

dreaming sunshine
soothing elixir
backstroke swimming
tranquilize

open seas survivor
floating feelings evacuate
sea salt shake and roll
1,000 stroke communion

turning over and over
nothing much has changed
side stroke view another mile

On my hands and knees,
I peeped over the board
Momma did you see?
There was a squid with tentacles like extension cords!
Oh! Never mind it swam away…

On my hands and knees,
I crept to the edge
Momma did you see?
There was a shark as big as the front yard hedge!
Oh! Never mind it swam away…

On my hands and knees,
I snuck to the brink
Momma did you see?
There was an eel that could fill up the kitchen sink!
Oh! Never mind it swam away…

Momma! Momma! Come look, come quick!
I think there’s more! Oh wait! Forget it…

© Matthew Harlovic