So Feb 2020, a team night out

Belated Xmas meal, we won’t go without,

Secret Santa’s bought and ready to share

Oh how exciting …we open and compare!

…

Three mugs and aftershave, jewellery too,

Presents unwrapped, we were quickly getting through.

Sweets and chocolates, many a mood to lift,

Then final present opened – oh what a gift!

…

Knowing that poetry is a love of mine

There was a book of poems! How divine!

I opened at a page, eager to read,

But my eyes opened wide, I couldn’t believe..

…

‘Insecurity over Ageing’ stood out on the page,

I looked around, with mild refrain,

Turning a page, I couldn’t help anticipate ..

But shocked to see ‘Agonising over weight..’😳

…

Nervous laugh ensued as I took a ‘deep dive’

To see what other little gems I could find.

The giver was blushing (and rightly so)

As I read out the topics – see pic below..

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He’d obviously bought it, based on something I adore,

How insightful and thoughtful, couldn’t ask for more.

But he was clearly mortified, as he’d not read the themes!

And the book then provided much laughter in reams…

…

As I decided to share and read a poem out loud,

Desperately trying not to attract a crowd,

But the lure of ‘The Orange’ was just so appealing

While the giver was sitting looking up at the ceiling.

…

So this book was actually a gift well intended,

And I really, REALLY wasn’t offended,

The evening table talk, had taken a humorous turn,

And the book I’m sure, of the craft helps me learn 😉

A message to all our swimmers,

From us Officials all in white,

We’re really not that bad you know,

We just have to do what’s right.

Mostly, we’re just PARENTS,

Who want to see all Swim well,

We hate spotting a DQ!

As the Referee we must tell.

Here are just a few of the things,

That fill us Officials with DREAD,

Especially for younger swimmers,

Who, close to the mark sometimes tread.

Backstroke can cause a classic mistake,

Of turning far too EARLY.

Our hearts will sink if arms stay still,

DQ triggered : soooo unlucky.

Breaststroke also tests our nerve,

As we watch for a touch with both hands,

Sometimes it’s also hard to see,

If a SIMULTANEOUS touch lands…

RELAYS can be ultra stressful,

With takeovers being on show,

The swimmers have to touch the wall,

Before the next swimmer goes.

As the Swimmer gets older,

Their mistakes get fewer by far,

We know a DQ is frustrating,

As they set themselves a very high bar.

BUT IT’s all part of LEARNING!

From every mistake they’ve made,

And a better swimmer they will be,

With STRONGER FOUNDATIONS laid.

SO. We’re really not that bad you know,

We only do what’s right,

We really enjoy the swimming

(But NOT the dressing in white 😂).

Why, oh why did we encourage swimming,

When athletic abilities were starting to show,

They could have chosen running or gymnastics,

Why we stuck with swimming, I’ll never really know..!

For our life outside it is limited,

In fact you can say it’s dead…

As every day in the pool is a must,

With those 4am starts out of bed 😧💤

It’s really not for the faint hearted!

Grit and determination is key !

Focused and driven key traits to possess,

But not just the swimmer – the whole family!!

The early morning’s are a killer,

Clock watching through most of the night,

Making sure they get to the pool on time,

And us parents looking an awful fright😂💤

So why did we encourage swimming,

When their ability was starting to show?

It’s because they LOVE it and LEARN GREAT skills😘,

So don’t regret their swimming.. just watch them grow😘