Lifeguarding seems easy until you learn
how to do it
properly.
Every five seconds,
I count heads:
sometimes there is one or two
that I do not see
exiting
the pool.
I panic, and scan the pool
once more.
A new headcount.
If someone were to die
silently,
tragically,
lonely,
I wouldn't be able to
stand myself.
It is stressing,
yet easy,
yet hard,
yet important
yet . . .
The list goes on
and on.
It's hard being a lifeguard,
but it's even harder being a lifeguard on land.
-
Author:
dase-y (Pseudonym) (
Offline) - Published: June 1st, 2022 19:25
- Comment from author about the poem: I work as a lifeguard during the summer, and it's a very stressful job when there are a lot of people. Towards the end of the poem, I remembered that I am a lifeguard, not only at the pool, but also on land---for my friends.
- Category: Reflection
- Views: 14
- User favorite of this poem: L. B. Mek.
Offline)
Comments2
I never thought about how stressful it must be to be a lifeguard. If someone were to die, people would automatically blame the lifeguard for not doing their job properly.
mhm, and legal stuff would be drawn in on top of the guilt. Some of my fellow lifeguards think of lifeguarding as something closer to a bikini competition actually, and that's really frustrating for all the reasons that just popped up in your head.
(a wonderful analogy
really well written and its brevity
so so deep, for those willing
to dive within your subtle, metaphors
and excavate the wisdom, within..
thanks for sharing and inspiring
my little scribbled reply)
indeed, I imagine that's a stressful responsibility
for those that apply themselves with integrity..
but
also, it's a very brave position
to place yourself
since, there are so many deserted
beaches
that never see a lifeguard
as in, just like
on land
where there are so many, lover's
bereft of love
and kind souls, denied
that warmth of friendship...
this, reminds me
we must All, be grateful
for whatever gifts we're afforded
on our stormy, seafronts
of life...!
that's a very lovely freestyle!
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