Those skills are the essence of making a path through life.
Proud,
As the little one went under bravely
Entering the scary unknown, not that long
Ago, where she added flips, turns, slides.
Proud,
Lessons, training, laps, workouts,
Practicing those strokes beyond what is
Needed to stay afloat and survive,
Proud,
As adding varsity swimming is
No joke, daily laps, serious strokes,
Between studying, APs, teaching.
Proud,
Winning this heat, learning about
Teamwork, courage. while planning a
Next chapter where she will rise again,
Proudly
10 comments:
Love the repetition of "Proud" and the shift to "Proudly." Your swimmer is indeed learning life skills: "Practicing those strokes beyond what is /
Needed to stay afloat and survive." Thank you for sharing.
Yes, the swimmer should be proud! So much work, and it does really build character, doesn't it? She will go proudly into the next chapter of life.
I also LOVE the repetition of proud. Also all the swimming specific vocabulary! And I see what you did there. Once, afraid to enter the water as the poem starts. Then stanza by stanza, showing how each stage supported the next stage. I ended the poem thinking, this swimming is SO ready for the next chapter! Great slice!!
Swim lessons interlaced with transitions. I loved this powerful slice.
It does take bravery to attempt something new and once that goal is achieved it is something to be proud of. arjeha
Anita, I am feeling a sense of growing and emerging - a swimmer, growing up - - and emerging not just as a person and an accomplished swimmer but the water as metaphor for life - - the swimming through the journey, the coming up for air, the deeper dives each time. Truly a feeling of pride and accomplishment here!
Anita,
Love this tribute to your granddaughter. She won a stroke of luck having you cheering her on!
Swimming is an incredible sport. It is incredible to watch swimmers make incremental progress meet after meet, year after year. I love this for your granddaughter and for you as a spectator!
Your form is awesome, Anita. Here's my take. Subtly, your word choice moves the image of the swimmer through her school years (little one, not that long ago, lessons, training, varsity). I like how the word “proud” (adjective) is used to describes the emotion of the poet as year after year she watches the accomplishments of the swimmer. It is strategically place between each stanza— it is the poet’s pride that remains consistent as the swimmer changes and improves. And then the ending takes a twist; the word “proudly” (adverb) describes how the swimmer rises, and the pride of the poet becomes the pride of the swimmer.
I love your poem with the repetition and so many ways to be proud. Swimming is hard work...on top of all the other accomplishments and activities your grand daughter is involved in. Lucky for you to be near enough to go to her meets, and hopefully she will see your poem. :)
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