the arena is humid, my already queasy stomach turns
the skin tight suit claws my body
all steps i take are weak
the parents are unaware of our thoughts, only the time matters
the ascent onto the block is terrifying
while the plunge off of it is even worse
my fingertips burn and toes tingle as i push and pull
then the time has come for me to reach
time to touch the end
others catch their breath
but i can’t
i struggle, i try, but i can’t get a complete breath
my lungs in combat with my own body
the world spins
i’ve never felt like this before
then i remember what they told me
just relax
and then it’s over
it was nothing
it was only an over-reaction
right?