Water Wings

This was written for when the VHS pool was dedicated to Mark Wagner in his honor. I think I wrote it May 2009. Anyway, it's for Wags, my high school swim coach, and anyone who swam for him.



we swam for you
that's what brings us here today
we swam for you

we got in the water
on any winter’s day
and we swam for you

we ran the halls
worked the weights
we did wheelbarrows, crabwalks
along the deck
all the way to the end
we did crunches,
and pushups with the tops of our feet down, hands faced in

and we swam for you

we did hundreds on the two
fifties on the one
and when it was near eight
we lined up by the office
for pancakes and egg mcmuffins
orange juice and milk
we’d breakfast in the bleachers
and throw barbs, zings

you threw them right back

our hair got shiny
blonde grew green
our skin got dry, flaky
we smelled of chlorine,
wreaked of chlorine
and when the time came
we shaved our arms and legs
some our chests
we shaved our heads
(some of us still do)

and we swam for you

we were a bus full of teenagers
man children
we were a bus full of laughing
a bus full of mirth

and after we won
(because we'd always win)
you’d lead a cheer for the other team
and then back on the bus
you’d tell us our splits
and how to improve
and prove ourselves

it’s called practice
so we’d practice

and on any winter’s day
we grabbed a board
and pull buoy
and set them at the water’s edge

we flapped our arms
shook our legs
and tried to hook our goggles on the flags

you can do well
you said
or you can do wah
you don’t want to be a do wah
do you?

we’d jump in
the water was always cold
we'd goggle up
and sink just below the surface,
wait for the whistle,
and push off the wall
we were a chorus of kicking,
water bending at the bow

and when we turned our heads
or lifted our chins
hoo!
hoo!
hoo!
at every breath
and turn

we swam for you

our chests red
our eyes red
our arms aching
we got better stronger faster

you gave us wings
water wings
in the pool
and on land

you showed us the merits of hard work
team work
integrity, discipline
and honesty

if it were easy
you said
everybody would be good

when you decided to leave the pool
you did it
you just did it

but the 7.2 pH water was in your blood
and you returned to the pool
courageously

and we continued
to swim for you

you were always supportive
you were always understanding
you always listened

your dry wicked sense of humor
always made it better

and when we did something good
something that made you proud
you said
who knew

but that was the thing

you knew

as a teacher
as a coach
as a friend
you touched
and influenced
countless
lives

you gave us wings
water wings
and these wings
will aways swim for you

thank you mr wagner
thank you mark
thank you wags

hoo!