careless mistake, pain becomes me
I scream but no one comes
this is it, I’m done
second try no response
why isn’t this working?
awake, startled
this is how I feel
right hand, check
left hand, check
left foot, check
right foot, check
double take, right foot not check
not check at all

stubbed one, peg leg
amputee
I’ve heard it
before, athleticism was my forte
now, discriminated constantly
always I was strong
never was I shy
strong support from loved ones
I received gratefully

tryouts for soccer, the best of the best
they wanted I knew
yet I went, knowing what would come
before my maiming I belonged here
but now, deep down
I knew my chances were slim
I fumbled, I fell
awkward as always
snickers came from those who once cheered me on
I departed half way through
tears made their way down my face
began parallel then angled towards my mouth
leaving tracks, permanent scars, mouth forever salted
then and there, I vowed
I would practice and polish
‘till I was perfect
better than I ever was
better than they could only dream of becoming

the summer I spent with friends
now my best friends
the ball, a net, a field
endless time to perfect what was once unperfected
early morning hops
became early morning runs
I ran, no longer afraid
to lean on the artifical replacement was a breeze
the pain came in bursts at first
then soon blended into long periods
I would become numb
initially around the stub of flesh that had remained
eventually it would overcome me
I was ready
stronger mentally, as well as physically
able to cope with the worst

judgment day came much anticipated
a late September afternoon
disapproving glances from all around
would have once pierced my heart
but now are blocked and rejected violently
by a barrier or shield if you will
I ran and I passed
I shot and I scored
with such skill and grace that it was at a whole other level
compared to those who had scoffed at me
those dropped jaws I did wish to close
but my pride and self esteem at that moment was at an all time high
and I did not wish for that to end
so I galloped around for a few moments longer
taking it all in

the end of the session came abruptly
I was having the time of my life
the coordinator announced the names of those
who would be asked to return
to be a player on his prestigious team
play a part, a role in the teams history
my name came last
as my last name begins with a W
this was the moment I had waited for
the reason I had practiced so vigorously
shocked, everyone watched
as I stood up and walked out without a word
grinning ear to ear
I had made the team
but who wants to play soccer anyways?
when you can play volleyball