Swimming, a poem by Emma Liu

 Swimming

By Emma Liu

Everybody tense

As we stood on the diving block

No cheer

No noise

No sound

A frozen array of people

Of judges

Of coaches

Of swimmers

Every eye piercing a hole through your heart

Until there were no feelings

Everyone numb

Until the beep went off

And the light flashed green

Our bodies tensing

Before...

        D

           I

              V

                  I

                     N

                        G

Leaping

Soaring 

Flying

A unanimous whole

Until we hit the water

Submerging

The race has begun

v