Pool chatter

It’s early 5am and the sun has not yet risen, as they que to tag in, the smell of chlorine hits them they are ready. As a group they move, some slowly others with more purpose pushing through the water hoping each step will make them healthier, slimmer or fitter. Some have been coming for many years, some are recuperating from one operation or another, others come to have actual human contact even if for just an hour. During which they have been heard, listened and laughed. Like their movement the chat is a discourse of last night’s television shows, who will win the big race and what new pill the doctor has them on. The noise rises above the water, sitting on the pool deck you realise just how loud it actually is; the voices start off individually then meld into one continuous drone. This morning there is more excitement in the air, maybe it is anticipation it’s the day before Good Friday and once they have swam, they will sit and break bread to celebrate the season, chatting this time over hot cross buns, coffee and assorted delicacies. This has become a tradition amongst the walkers Christmas and Easter, they sit and consume more calories than they just expended in the pool who cares. For some this will be the only celebration they have, forlornly aware that they will go home alone and see no one until they can que again at the pool.