As I swim with demons

At the starting block, I

suck up all the air in the arena

but poise steps off the block

doubts about size to the left

doubts about speed to the right

fear courses through my veins

time at a standstill 

the starting flash and the horn

the light gets there first

I dive into the darkness

that was once water

muffled sounds        bubbles        splashes

frenetic     each with a tell-tale wake

qualms drowned out by technique

counts, breaths, flip turns 

repeat, repeat, repeat

I just swam with demons