Practice, Perseverance, and Poetry

An athlete’s mind races along with her body, especially if she’s participating in a solo sport. These poems reveal the pain and pleasure (physical and mental) shared by competitors everywhere.

Track Practice
Katherine Pomeroy, 17
Connecticut

Bed seems very far away now
Between cool sheets with a bottomless pillow
Is where I’d love to be

But no
Flat on the ground
Rough turf of the track
Digging into my back
Flowers are baking in the heat
And the sound
Of coach shouting
Some idiots were talking
Punishment for all

Leglifts, the worst
The team, down on the Earth
Muscles straining for all they’re worth
Late May sun
Frying our bare legs and arms and faces
Red
To distract from the agony
I look up
The sky is the exact
Undeniable hue
Of Caribbean Blue

A sky that questions gravity
Tempts you to
Leave a world you’d never miss
If given half a chance
Without a backward glance
I would fall in that abyss

Running
Christina Lucas, 15
Minnesota

Running keeps you in shape
Anticipation for the gun to go off
Sprint to avoid being boxed in
You never know who is going to win

Anticipation for the gun to go off
Big gulps of air become fast, painful puffs
You never know who is going to win
You are focused and your body feels strong

Big gulps become fast, painful puffs
Run your heart out
You are focused and your body feels strong
Race like you will win first place

Run your heart out
Stay as a pack with our team
Race like you will win first place
Never give up; your team is depending on you
Save your energy

Think optimistic, it’s almost over
Overpower your opponents
Save your energy
The race is coming to an end

Overpower your opponents
Make your own personal record
The race is coming to an end
Use your arms for extra strength

Make your own personal record
Take long strides
Use your arms for extra strength
The sweat is trickling down your face

Take long strides
This is it; give it your all
The sweat is trickling down your face
Run as if you were a graceful gazelle

This is it; give it your all
Not an ounce of power should be left in you
Run as if you were a graceful gazelle
The race is over and you did great!

Game Time
Shalini Singaravelu, 17
New York

My hands slice through the icy water
My legs swaying in the current
I take a breath

Back down I go
Bubbles surrounding me
Caressing my body

A split second I close my eyes
A burst of energy as I hit the wall
I am a missile

The pain comes on now
The burn in my thighs
My shoulders ache

It’s almost over now
Just a little further
I’ve won the race