By Shoshanna Rutemiller <\/i><\/p>\n
Steam rises in wispy waves,
\nWaving mockingly to a huddle
\nOf pseudo-amphibians.
\nI must be crazy.
\nI can't even see the surface!
\nAs this thick fog-like face fans outward.
\nAre we 25 yards or 50 meters?
\nThe far wall's disappeared. <\/p>\n
Red neon numbers on the pace clock
\nCut through the steam like beacons.
\nBeckoning?
\nOr an unbecoming reminder
\nThat we're leaving on the sixty.
\nHow simple subtraction seems
\nWhen tallying the total time till takeoff.
\nWhat a tease you are, telling me
\nThe water's warmer than the outside air.
\nThat's simply not the point.<\/p>\n
Please push me in coach,
\nBecause my stationary stance
\nHas me rooted to the deck.
\nThose curling arms of steam scream STAY!
\nAs the clock burns redder
\nWith each tick to the top.
\nIt's time, I can tell.
\nTear off my protective layer
\nAnd dive into the twisting tendrils
\nOf smothering steam.<\/p>\n
Well, that wasn't so bad. What on earth took so long?<\/p>\n
Special thanks to Grand Canyon University (GCU) Head Coach Steve Schaffer for providing Swimming World with a picture of early-morning practice at the Phoenix Swim Club pool. The chilly deck and steam-covered pool surface was inspiration for the above poem. <\/i><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
By Shoshanna Rutemiller Steam rises in wispy waves, Waving mockingly to a huddle Of pseudo-amphibians. I must be crazy. I can't even see the surface! As this thick fog-like face<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"dois","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[3,17,4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-33015","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-featured","category-commentary","category-zzzzzzzzz"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"yoast_head":"\r\n