This was aquired from Rec.Sport.Rowing

<>From: pmckeon531@aol.com (PMckeon531)
<>Subject: The Erg
<>Date: 5 Feb 1995 20:16:16 -0500

A few thoughts on that machine:

THE ERG

In the basement
Cold and dark
Like a winter night,
Like the animal's liar

The machine
The measure of my soul
When the ice lies heavy
On the water

Most days,
Just the test of my will
To go on, to endure
To build for the Spring, yet dormant

Some days,  
Close my eyes
Feel the water, the warmth
The power, the grace

Some days,
Torture my body
The splits will not fall
The body is weak, lethargic

No matter
The machine cares not
Frustration, rage, pleading
Boil, burn me all over

Some days,
My power, my strength, my will
Reign supreme
My body, the numbers, do my bidding

The animal inside,
Unleashed, raging, triumphant
Seeking to destroy, annihilate
The machine