I swim upstream.

I swim upstream as hard as I can, but the tide often proves to be stronger than I am; the water is sometimes too cold to bear. I am again thrust backwards. To avoid drowning, I let the tide take me where it will. Occasionally, I sink under just to relax my aching muscles.
I cannot yet see the shore, but I am confident that I'll reach it. When I do, I'm going to lie on the beach and let the sun envelop my whole body. There will surely be plenty of lush greenery for me to make shelter from. I will rest for many days! I have earned it!
Too soon I realize that the shore is barren. The wind bites and stings my wet skin. I am colder here than I ever was in the water. I haven't the strength to re-submerge myself. Now I can only pray to be rescued.
After many days there is no pilot and no plane, no captain and no ship. My savoir was only a myth I created to keep myself afloat. My journey was not in vain, though. I learned to be strong and survive; and I have inspired others that will know of my plight. I have also learned to give up now that the fight is over and there is no longer hope. I lay down to rest for the last time.

***Note: This is a short story, not really a poem.