Swim, Girl, Swim

As Europe woke from sleep,

Young Trudy Ederle

At Cap Gris Nez in France

Dived into a daunting sea.

Many had tried to make

This superhuman swim—

Thirty-five punishing miles.

Chances, at best, were slim.

When Fury found the waves,

Far from the western shore,

Her trainer shouted, “Let’s turn back!”

But Trudy cried, “What for?”

Under an English moon,

The celebration began

After the fastest crossing

By woman or by man.