Summer

Lungs are burning. I can feel the world around me, yet I am floating in the middle; between the floor and ceiling. Debating if I should push on, or stop and fill my lungs with the oxygen my body craves. Would that make me a failure, make me look weak? I press on. My thoughts muddle my purpose. My clean cut purpose. Get to the other side. I float in the middle, getting closer and closer. My body gives up. I push myself to the surface. I feel the sun on my face. I was so close. My body heaving in air like it was my first. My mind slowly unclutters with the added oxygen. I look behind me. The water stinging my eyes as the burning of my lungs subside, and yet, not good enough.
When is it good enough? How will I know when it is? How long do I have until I collapse under the pressure of it all?