Strong

Tuesday writing fun at Two Writing Teachers!

Thin white lines beckon, stretching out and curving

away 

                                                          and back again

across the expanse of sunset-red-orange rubber.

My feet grip the ground with extra excitement.

My legs tense in anticipation. 

Chin up. Eyes forward. Numbers. Lines. Breathe. Push.

Go.

Shoes springing

pound pound

muscles reaching

pound pound

shoulders back

pound pound

mind clear

pound pound

shadows stretch

pound pound

soaring through 

pound pound

cool air

pound pound

breathe breathe breathe breathe.

In the distance, 

getting larger 

and then disappearing

over my shoulder, different masterpieces:

scattered, brilliant blazes of orange, red, yellow

brilliant against a backdrop of greener, more patient friends

all reaching toward a cerulean sky so clear

if I could jump hard enough, I could dive 

right up

and in.

heart pumping 

pound pound

almost there

pound pound

lines and numbers getting closer

pound pound

I can do it

pound pound

keep pushing

pound pound

breathe breathe breathe breathe.

Tensing muscles, filling lungs, extra spring, new life:

Everything I've got.

Kick it.

Feet fly over the numbers.

Gulping air

arms up

walking legs stretch, satisfied.

Nothing left, but everything gained.

Bright eyes, clear mind, energy flowing.

Alive. Strong.

It's been too long.