First One In

From The Birmingham Age Herald, July 20, 1913.

See the happy youngsters,
    Racing through the wood,
For the old loved water
    Where the swimming’s good.

Now they’re at the pool side,
    And with shout and jest
Each strives in undressing
    To outdo the rest.

Then white limbs a moment
    In the sunlight gleam,
As a lithe young body
    Cleaves the glassy stream.

Then a head emerges,
    And above the din
Rings the cry of triumph,
    “I’m the first one in!”