Uplifted
It’s so early that
when I peek out the window,
I see a black curtain in the sky
and behind it I bet are the stage crew in a mad rush, preparing,
before they can open the curtain and reveal the show-
today featuring an opener of a gold and orange sunset,
then blue skies with fluffy clouds, and maybe later a plot twist of thunderstorms around noon.
But,
despite this
my alarm clock still rattles
and the music still blast.
It explodes into my dreams
polluting my daze with thick smog that smells like ..
CHLORINE.
So I wipe the explosion debris from the corners of my eyes and
tug myself out of bed.
and wonder
Why
Why do I do this to myself?
But then I arrive at the pool
and see my sleepy team,
some have forgotten to wipe away the explosion debris from the corners of their eyes,
so I brush off for them, and ask them if they are okay.
For I know they would do the same for me.
And together as one we step off the plank
into the cold chlorinated water.
When I immerse myself
I am greeted by that water that embraces me and
hugs my every curve, fitting me just perfect,
it fills in every space of me, like between my toes and under my armpits
it fills in all the spaces where I feel like
I am not enough.
My first couple of strokes, the water is agreeable and smooth
and I feel as though this is the only place where I can truly breathe.
But as the workout gets more strenuous, the water is less smooth
and disagreeable.
Yet as I turn my head to take a breath,
I see out the large windows that the show has just begun, and that I have a front row seat.
The gold and orange opener is so spectacular that
my heart pulses loudly as an offer of applause.
Rewarded I feel,
to receive this free admit ticket every day,
and
Uplifted I feel,
by the fulfillment of this sport
and the teamates who would gladly bear my burdens if ever I asked.