Early morning swim

Daughter thinks I'm crazy

She won't swim with me

That sea is cold

I'm quickly told

"Not always" I answer pleading

"Somedays it can be pleasantly freezing!"

Her head slips back under her covers

"Close my door."

No then, say no more

As I drive down

Big grey green sea

so

uninviting

Courage dwindling

If tides out

I'm out

But tides in

Gonna have to swim

No backing down

Mr year round

Summer swimmers all gone.

Not a soul on the Coast 

It's a ghost

Then I spot a head in the sea

Pull over

Crazy loves company

Towel and pool shoes

Goggles

I wonder

Will head go under?

No point saving face

Take them just in case

I walk down steps

Prepare

undress

Thanking god for pool shoes

As I walk Stoney beach

Cold water biting

Memories of summer swims fading

Only consultation

Tide deep

Can get Down quick

Fu-k

Swim don't think

The head belongs to an elder woman

Cold

It's not that bad

Teeth chatter

Longer I'm in

At home I begin

We are all set to start our day

Head did say

Start?

hoping to finish my day

Head smiles

We say good byes

Head heads in

Body climatized

I float

There's Howth

A patch of blue in grey sky

Sea birds swocking  wiz by

Suns on the edge of a dark cloud

Might peep out

Lambay island

On horizon

Looking bright from here

We must look dull from there

Sea full of rippling waves

I spit

Sorry

Watch waves carry

out to sea

Swimming against the tide

Telling  me

Time to head back

Goggles down

Head down

Cold grey sea

Is all I see

I swim breathing bubbles all out

Over arm

Don't forget kicking

Don't forget breathing

After eight strokes I check bearings

No tides pulling me far right

Change course left to come in

Head down and swim

Nice easy rhythm

On track once more

I slowly butterfly into shore

I play  James bond theme in me brain

Forget it

This ain't Spain

As I slow mo from the frezzen sea

Jaysus

Get tis crazy

a hot pot of tea.