Creative writing submission from the Rest Less community – submit your entry here.
Whilst travelling home from work on a very crowded train, I noticed a female passenger offering a friendly smile. I smiled back as I sat across from her. I commented on a bouquet of flowers she was holding.
“What beautiful flowers. They look like wildflowers.”
As we began to chat, she shared that they were a gift and agreed that they did look like wildflowers, with their natural colours and beauty. She then told me she belonged to a group of wild swimming women. Having never heard the term, and with a little help from Google, I realised that I too am a wild swimming woman. Only, I am out of water, sometimes in hot water, always with an adventurous spirit, while swimming through my wild and curious life.
I am a wild swimming woman, metaphorically so.
I have swum up the highs and almost drowned in my lows.
Blue skies and clear water, with the sun on my face.
Taking time to swim at a much slower pace.
Dirty mud waters, full of rocks and debris,
Hopes that a log will one day save me.
Wearing glasses, not goggles to cover my eyes,
I breaststroke and paddle, to deaden my cries.
With fish in this ocean, that swim around me.
Facing currents of life, hanging onto a tree.
To the shore I swim faster, lest my heartbeat gives out.
I aim for dry land or even a boat.
Yet I smile, close my eyes, attempting to float.
I am a wild swimming woman, in a life full of hope.
I am a wild swimming woman, metaphorically so,
Just need to tread water and learn to swim slow.
Are you feeling creative? We are proud to have a hugely talented community on Rest Less, which is why we’re so excited to open up a section of the site dedicated to showcasing the wonderful and diverse writing of our members. If you have a piece of creative writing that you’d like to share with the Rest Less community – you can do so here.