I love the feeling of hitting the wall
Its like kicking a ball
And scoring a goal
I feel complete and whole

I love the “fun” sets
Requiring legs like jets
To complete the neverending laps of freestyle
But when you finish it makes you smile

I love the smiles, the laughs
I love how we always need a bath
The whole entire team
To rinse out the smell of chlorine

I love the pain
That comes from the careless swimmers in your lane
Sprained wrists, bent fingers, the countless bruises
Of many different hues

I love the pointless conversation
Like killing hogs for bacon
We cover everything but the alphabet
During those monotonous kick sets

I love that rising frustration
From the annoying condescension
Of our coach in anger
We all hate but appreciate later

I love the friends that yell and cheer
Even though they know you can’t hear
Just BLAH-BLAH-BLAH
I am always in awe

I love the many broken swim caps,
The needed naps,
The colorful Uglies swim suits,
We wear with our UGG boots
I love the goggles we want more than clothes
As only a swimmer would know
I love all the hours
That will forever be sweet and sour