The Life Of An Athlete

• Luke Harris, Grade 9
• Poetry
• 2009

There’s a long road ahead its gonna be tough I won’t lie it’s sure to be rough
Day and night training will wear me down, even so… to my sport I am bound
Only three weeks until the big day under the water is where my dreams lay
BANG! Goes the gun my heart skips a beat a familiar feeling goes down to my feet
I dive off the blocks swim down the lane harder, harder, so close now is fame
Faster, faster, I must swim to win gold I’m in with a chance or so I’ve been told
I look to my left I look to my right I need to kick harder to win this fight
My muscles are straining my whole body aches determination is what it takes
I hear the crowd roar chanting my name hope all my training has not been in vain
The ring of the bell indicates the last turn, an adrenalin rush I feel the burn
In the lead with ten metres to go will victory be mine or is it too soon to know
My time is recorded when I touch the wall my emotions boil over I start to bawl
I’ve won, yes, hard to believe, think of the accolades I’m sure to receive
Called up the victory ramp I can’t stop smiling I’m the Girl’s Under 8 Champ