Casey Patch

Why do I swim?

Every day I force myself

below a sheet of ice,

just to put myself through what makes me complain

with my friends.

I push myself,

it hurts.

I don’t enjoy myself, so

Why do I swim?

I love the team, the sport,

The friends I have made.

The fun I have had, realizing

Framingham will never get me a best time,

Or that Salem State always means the best bagels.

But after every race,

I hate it,

I hate what I haven’t achieved,

I couldn’t have done worse,

I swear I’ll quit,

But I keep wondering why,

I come back day

after day.