I'm sinking fast but my legs are still kicking, each breath may be my last..

  my arms beating the water in vain, sinking fast

Red and white my rescue comes flying, meant to save me from dying...

  but I don't need it, I can make it!  I turn away and beat the waves harder and faster

and ever in vain all my effort and strain.

torrents beating down, waves crashing over me, wishing my feet could touch the bottom.

I've fought my rescuer... tossed the life preserver back, ever believing my strength is enough.

 I'm sure if I keep trying I'll teach myself how to swim,

I can get to safety on my own, or at least tread water...

Bootstraps pulled and lungs are burning their last,  surely I am better off for all my struggling,

 But I am further now from safety than ever, And here comes my rescue again..

How do you know I can't make it?! (as my lungs fill up with H2O)

 How can you say I won't reach the shore?!! (with no shore in sight)

How do you know the storm is stronger than me!!!(you think you know me, know my limits?)

 and I'm not sure If I swam away of if you just backed off... but now...

now my lungs are frozen stiff and my arms and legs are paused,

  and I'm too proud to raise my hands for help... well...

I didn't make this storm! these aren't MY waves! I had no idea what undertow was (till now).

surrender... surrender...

now I realize I won't make it, I rue my arrogance but it's all I have left now.

 I am too ashamed to cry out, or look up, 

too weary and ashamed  to lift an arm in hope of rescue.... why would you help me now? 

 are you even still out here? If I call will you answer and will you really save?

I need to be rescued!!! I have cement shoes and I am doomed!!!

but how do I call you? How do you rescue?  What is it I have to do?  

How far do my arms have to stretch?  What was that prayer they prayed in Sunday school?

Surrender... Surrender....

I open my eyes and the storm is gone, and all I see is you, I am shocked and still gasping and reaching but with some relief that you are in sight. 

You hold me and I am safe, I rest and I embrace...

 but then I hear the roar of the waves and you TOSS ME BACK!!!

NO, take me back, I want to rest, I'm tired, and I want you to do it for me.

 You smile and say son, you are on my swim team now... just swim...press on... 

you'll get to shore... I own the waves... and I hold more power the the oceans.

You are on MY team, and you are safe.

SURRENDER

So swim for shore and take as many as you find with you,  I am on your side... I am FOR you...

 I start to swim and I realize I am not sinking!! I surrender to my task and I head for shore...

listening for frozen lungs, resistant gasps and hands half raised in defiant defeat

 (I know all too well what they sound like and look like)

A deep breath and a smile and I paddle away.... (He is clearing a path)

 Stroke by stroke until my dying day... (He is cheering me on)

I swim in sweet surrender.