Untitled - September 11, 2004

Stroke for stroke,
beat for beat,
skimming across the smooth surface
to a drumming only heard inside.

Barely rippling through the waters
it's a spirited race
made with effortless grace.

It's the silent counts
that measure the moments
separating start from finish
and the joys in between.

It's the euphoria that drives
every stroke and every breath;
it's a silent battle to the finish
where exhaustion gives way to relief.