Hard south

A Poem by Kim Bambrook

Winter sharpens lines 
cold air snaps                         
frozen 
anything that lingers 
too long, in one place 
 
Shallow breaths 
wide eyes 
the wonder of it all 
 
Crystal glass clarity 
despite the sun not yet risen 
 
Grains of sand 
appear magnified 
each adhering to the next 
 
My bare feet 
cut craters 
to the water line 
 
Tighten the goggles 
shake out the arms 
in breath, out breath                   
calm 
 
One big puff 
in I dive 
the effect is immediate                 
pain 
 
a delicious, addictive pain 
quickly forgotten 
as arm over arm 
progress is made 
leaving behind the shore 
reaching for what is beyond 
 
Below me, a kelp bed 
fishes dart 
an eagle ray rises 
with a dancer’s grace 
slides away 
bubbles pop, richness explodes 
 
I’ve swam in lots of places 
most recently, the Med 
blue sea, warm water 
one can see the appeal 
 
It’s here though 
in my home in Hobart 
where swimming brings me most joy 
 
Here, the waters are 
infinitely rich 
here, I look to the horizon 
know that the next land mass is Antarctica 
know that between here and there 
the Southern Ocean                        
is alive 
 
Beating, pulsing, moody                 
wild 
in my own wild heart 
It is here, I am most me

Kim is an author, poet, storyteller and adventurer.
This poem was part of an anthology of 50 writers based in Nipaluna/Hobart titled Voices of the Southern Ocean, published in 2025. This anthology reflected writers’ engagement with the Southern Ocean and was the first initiative of Hobart City of Literature in collaboration with the University of Tasmania (UTAS) and Hobartisan books.
Kim lives in Hobart and ocean swims year-round.