Pacing Off The Steps Poem by Gert Strydom

At times the stretch
to the jumping board
and landing patch
lay magical
in front of me

and without real strain
I glided through the air
and a slit second
almost lasted for an eternity.

In that moment
the interaction of no competitor,
no coach,
no cheering onlooker
was with me
and the white
sand glided past
before kissing
my landing feet.

I paced off the steps
for the next long jump
and there were admiration
on some faces,
frustration and maybe hate
and fear of loosing
on others

and when I started my run
the crowd roared
before the air and me
was again one.

Sometimes my steps were out
and I overstepped the board,
or had to launch myself
from too far back

and no correction
in either direction
could bring
the absolute magic back

and the frenzy of the crowd
the sheer determination
of other competitors
was cutting like a knife through me

but when I closed my eyes
no pain from cramping legs,
no broken middle toe,
no coach or opponent
could stop me
from taking the magical leap
when God paced
the steps with me.