To Fly
Posted by Rob Kistner | Filed under Free Verse, Poetry, art, collage
To Fly
•
no turning back
no room for doubt
no fear
no mistakes
years of preparation
conditioning
practice
sacrifice
years of believing
my dream is now
this one moment in time
winds
whistle in my headgear
I step off the tram
stride to the starting gate
snow crunchs
crisp and fresh underfoot
skis
waxed to perfection
thrown over my right shoulder
poles
gripped in my left hand
I vibrate
nerves
raw energy
pure adrenalin
I make the short walk
to the prep bench
I reflect
“over 90 miles per hour
for 90 seconds
airborne
down the mountain
like a rocket
freefalling
at the edge of control
the edge of disaster”
euphoria
“I can do this!”
in deep focus
I visualize
repeating
over and over
“tuck tight
knees flexed
eyes down the mountain
fearless
…fly!”
I sit
tighten my boots
affix my skis
checking twice
and again
I hear chatter
coaches
and officials
my competitors
self-talking
mantra-like
the clamor of the crowds
rolls down the mountain
gathers dense
at the bottom
the finish line
where the dream awaits
gradually
I tune out the din
to a buzz
now a quiet hum
finally…
silence
I’m dialed in
locked
into my personal space
vivid concentration
intensely present
in sync
in my zone
coach
leads me to the gate
race officials
queue me up
this is my time
my destiny
I am ready!
poised to start
I make
then re-make the run
in my mind
the one I’ve made many times
in practice
I imagine the gate fly open
see myself push off
a mighty thrust
into the steep
first drop
I envision myself
accelerating fiercely
into the first turn
building a torrid pace
knifing
down the mountain
as if an apparition
a vapor
a blur
gone… 90/90!
alone in the gate
I snap to the present
acutely aware
the mountain
stretches below me
crystalline white
falling
twisting
down
down
this is it
my dance with fate
I am ready
so ready
ready to roar
down the icy slope
blassst
across the finish line
…ready to fly!
starting tone begins to pulse
my mind
links in cadence
my body
feels the rhythm
vision sharp
senses keen
surroundings
–– vibrant
time
folds into slow motion
honing
to the long-awaited instant
the critical split-second
my legs
are wound springs
arms and shoulders
powerful pistons
my heart
a thunderous locomotive
suddenly
the gate swings away
I explode…
• • •
rob kistner © 2008
_____________________
collage above entitled: “On the Edge” — by: rob kistner © 2008
• • •
…inspired by writing prompt #52, found at “readwritepoem”.
November 13th, 2008 at 1:43 am
It slowly enfolded for me taking me away with it. Good to read you. Always!
November 13th, 2008 at 2:06 am
Gautami -
Thank you… I am pleased when you visit - always!
November 13th, 2008 at 5:36 am
I think the short sharp lines of this poem really suit the dynamic subject matter
November 13th, 2008 at 6:56 am
I love the way you drew this out slowly without it feeling…slow. This felt like his inner monologue and I love the ending.
-Nicole
November 13th, 2008 at 10:47 am
bb -
I’m pleased this piece resonated for you… thank you for sharing your thoughts.
November 13th, 2008 at 10:52 am
Nicole -
Your words are kind, and appreciated…
My attempt was to pull the reader in to the singular mindset of the racer — to experience his concentration and his anticipation… to be inside his head as he subjugates his fears and prepares for this unique moment in his reality.
November 13th, 2008 at 1:01 pm
Oh, I’d much rather read about someone facing this kind of excitement. Thanks for letting me live vicariously!
November 13th, 2008 at 2:25 pm
Christine -
You are most welcome…
Thank you for coming along on the adventure!
November 13th, 2008 at 2:58 pm
I like the way this skis down the page!
November 13th, 2008 at 4:38 pm
Phillip -
Fast and free…
November 13th, 2008 at 9:03 pm
that’s quite a oomph!
very nice
November 14th, 2008 at 12:18 am
Annamari -
Thank you…
November 14th, 2008 at 10:41 am
Wow! to capture this one moment in time, all that preparation all the build up and time slows right down in his perception before he explodes! Amazing!
November 14th, 2008 at 2:04 pm
STG -
Glad you enjoyed this…
Isn’t that true for much of life — considerable investment before there is a dividend.
Think about getting a PhD — many many years of work and prep to enjoy the moment of receipt.
February 13th, 2009 at 5:16 pm
You really capture the feeling of racing here! I should show it to my husband since he was a ski racer.
So well done!
February 14th, 2009 at 8:00 pm
That felt real - like I was making that descent too.