Ski Race Poem by JAMES T. ADAIR

Racer ready and in the gate
seeing your breath
as you breathe deeply and wait
Confirmation on the radio
the course is clear

Looking downhil at the course
and feeling your heart beat
adrenalin rushing from head to feet
Telling yourself to keep your turns
tight and neat

Adgust goggles and regrip poles
scanning the white snowy course
Feeling the cold as you wait
Gates set left and right
Here's the count....Three, two..
(bend knees, sink back) ....one

GO! !
Spring forward over your skis
Launch with your poles and arms
as your knees push the timer wand
clock ticks as you skate hard
eye the first gate and carve
Your ski edge bites the snow

Propel to the right and sight the
gate pole you'll slap with your fist back
look downhill to the left as you round the gate
fling your body sharply toward the next turn

You're moving so quickly that the gates are too
You've got to fight to stay ahead
picking your lines and cutting off the turns
but the rhythm is just right
a blur of motion, color and white
the only sounds heard:
The rushing of wind and the chatter of skis
as your quads begin to burn
and you're breathless

Rush and skate through the finish line beam
look up at your time
skid to a stop as your skis chatter an edges bite
look up at the sun and catch your breath
steaming in the winter air

2008 © James T. Adair