The Swimming Lesson

In prayer, when you speak with God,

Then when you are silent and He speaks to you,

You receive Spirit.

When you return to the world

You try to give what you have received

And yet to keep, in your heart, a little,

And for yourself.

It's the same with swimming, my dear:

You take your head out of the water, inhale through your mouth,

You put your head in the water, you fight with it,

With joy, if you can,

And exhale slowly through your nose.

You keep a part of the air in your lungs,

Just as you keep a little Spirit

In your heart.

Șerban Madgearu