Versus vice versa

Against the tide and up 
Close is where it begins
To get personal where it
Looks like a fight to the
End that endlessly drags
You around. You want to
Hold your horses, but can
Only hold your water and
Ball up a fist, pugnacious
To the core. Up against it.
Slamming at windmills, 
Going against the tide to
Find trouble even where
There is none. Up close.