Aftermath at the lido
Reader Laura Davies’ poem beautifully captures the aftermath of a January storm at Tooting Bec Lido
Reader Laura Davies is a member of South London Swimming Club, which is based at Tooting Bec Lido. Here, she shares a poem that beautifully captures a swim at the lido in the aftermath of a January storm. We hope you love it as much as we do!
Aftermath at the Lido
The storm flung debris down. Purged boughs
float in a leafy mosaic – gold and bronze in blue.
I cast myself into morning-after water,
glide through dawn-gilded foliage,
fronds clinging to my skin. Last night
our words were thorns. They still sting.
Splintered branches hide amongst the flotsam,
scraping cold limbs, like scratches on sunburn.
I gather these damp arms, pile them on the lido’s edge.
The bark’s had just enough time to soften
and it blisters, falls away from raw wood.
I turn to swim again, this time
on my back, open to the breadth of sky.
I can’t remember why we fought.
Under trees clothed only in flimsy winter sun,
I flip and freestyle where the pool is clear.
Beneath my suit, leaves stick to belly and breast.
I’ll shower them off.
By Laura Davies
Outdoor Swimmer
Outdoor Swimmer is the magazine for outdoor swimmers by outdoor swimmers. We write about fabulous wild swimming locations, amazing swim challenges, swim training advice and swimming gear reviews.
