• Listen and wait for the gun to go
    off. Stand still and ready to fly.
    Ba! The smoke curls in the air but
    I don’t see it. I have taken off,
    running down the lane. The sound
    of our feet smacking against the
    track with every step we take. All
    the parts of our bodies working
    together to make it to the finish
    line. Cut in front of the girl now
    behind me. Struggling to pass
    another. Take it steady, still a half
    a lap to go. Curve’s coming up, get
    ready to sprint! Follow the turn,
    speed up, she’s passing me! Faster,
    faster! I see it coming up, the line, the
    end! Throw myself across it. I
    work to catch my breath and not
    lose my lunch. My heart is
    pounding in my chest, so loud, I’m
    surprised no one else can hear it.
    My friend holding me up, I feel
    like fainting. I beat my time! An
    accomplishment so looked for and
    hoped for. All of it worth the hurt
    and suffer. I can’t believe I did it. I
    am so happy, even though…

    …I came in dead last.