I am so proud
Whenever you take the block
Concentrating intently
On beating the clock

A whistle sounds sharply
You climb to your perch
Stand at attention
Careful not to lurch.

"Swimmers take your mark!"
The starter does bark

Legs tensing tightly, hammer at cock
Arms in rotation, hands grab and lock.
A shot rings loudly deafening our ears
Parents up quickly yelling our cheers

Off you go flying, a gull on the wing
Churning the water, a stroke that does sing
Reaching the wall with a powerful kick
Spinning and flipping, looking so slick.

Off the wall flying, splitting the foam
Strength keeps pouring from regions unknown
Straining and paining at last to the flags
Strokes keep churning, never a lag

Hitting the pad with a powerful thrust
Leaving the competition in watery dust