The English Channel in Each of Us

To non swimmers it might appear that the flotation
and locomotion which swimmers accomplish
results from their lashing at the water.
This is true in part.

There's more to it than that.
To swim with ease and elongation
requires we be one with the media,
for the body is basically a water bottle.

A swimmer ought to envision herself in the water
as a hurled spear singing through the air it slices,
or as the wings of gulls in the wild blows across the Channel,
or as a carrot formulated into granny's stew.

It's not like we're talking Jesus walking upon the waves, here.
The trick far more simple: Agitate the media in such a manner
as to cause it to glide softly in and around the "bottle."
And with that proposition advanced,

Weather Cummings dipped her feet in her third attempt
to swim the English Channel. For all we know, I can not say,
if Laura ever reached the other side. If she didn't, it wasn't
for want of trying.