Swimming to the End!

Waiting at the block for
the big bang to sound.
There it is - go!
That was the gun!
you have everything to give;
you kick off and let
the water wash over you.
This may be your chance,
they might stumble.
You push
as if there’s no tomorrow,
perhaps there wont be.
This may be the final round.

Your body falters;
can you compete?
Your brain kicks in,
hear the GB lion roar?
Push to keep swimming
to the end.
Everybody is watching,
swim for your country.
You reach the finish
and know for sure;
The glory will not be yours.
Minutes tick by as you turn
to see the time sheet.

The goggles come off
you clearly see the light.
The scoreboard shines;
your heart beats.
You’ve come forth!
The World Champion has come forth!
A wave of sadness,
but no shock.
Swimming to the side,
you hope beyond hope.
Will you be remembered
as the one who lost the race?
Or the one who fought the fight?

Climbing out the pool,
hold your head up high.
You knew it may end this way.
Standing on the side,
looking across the disturbed water;
You offer a small bow
give a little wave.
People of import will know
the significance of the tiny gestures.
Leaving the arena
offer your hand in congratulation;
You know now is the time.
Say goodbye.


This poem was edited on 17th November 2013.  The previous edition read:

Waiting at the block for that big bang to sound.
There it is - go! Go! Go! - That was the gun!
You know you have everything to give;
As you kick off and let the water wash over you.
This may be your chance, they might stumble.
You push as if there is no tomorrow, perhaps there wont;
as you know this may be the final round.

Your body falters slightly, can you compete?
But your brain kicks in, hear the GB lion roar.
Must push to keep swimming to the end.
Everybody is watching, swim for your country.
You reach the finish, you know for sure;
The glory will not be yours to take.
Minutes tick by as you turn to see the time sheet.

The goggles come off so you clearly see the light.
The scoreboard shines, your heart beats.
You’ve come forth, the World Champion has come forth.
A wave of sadness, but no shock, flows through you.
Swimming to the side, you hope beyond hope;
You will not be remembered as the one who lost the race;
Rather the one who fought the fight.

Climbing out the pool, you hold your head up high.
You knew it may have to end this way.
Standing on the side, looking across the disturbed water;
You offer a small bow and give a little wave.
People of import will know the significance of the tiny gestures.
Leaving the arena you offer your hand in congratulation;
You know now is the time to say goodbye.