Waiting in the changing room behind locked door

like gladiators about to enter the arena

to do battle for the lanes,

powered by plum pudding.

Jockeying for position

like racehorses.

Adjusting goggles at the end

like knights setting visors between jousts.

Light glinting on the tiles of the pool

like sun on armour.

Afterwards, the changing room full of friendly chatter

as though there had been no competition before.

[Image from iStock]