Turning in a slip and getting back
--Rather than another assignation--
A half sheet and a pencil
An invitation to reflect
- Where I’m from
- How long the journey to this point
- Who coaxed me along
And then the kicker:
“Best results so far”
(A query guaranteed to
Throw me off my game)
First of all, what’s “best?”
First in a cozy local competition, with little to contest?
Dead last in Div IA—a newly minted C, abashed, astounded
that
I even dared to try?
The “Friend of Fencing” medal awarded by my college coach (himself
a living legend in the sport)?
My growing list of thirds from facing these same friends and
foes?
I want to say
“Today. Today exceeds the rest.”
Maybe by the time you read this slip
I’ve triumphed three more times
Maybe even now I’m
Clutching gold, or
At least, have trod the finals strip
In any case, why ask?
What’s past is past
The last thing I need now
Is to be snagged by expectations
Amped up by ambition to excel
I need to pee
I need to check my blades
I need to
Breathe and take a moment to reflect
So sure, whatever, scribble in some dates and places
Maybe get it right
And if it’s slightly off, remember that my thoughts are not
on
Autobiographic stats
My focus is on
Scripting future fictions
Hoping they come true
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