It was cheer camp in July, 95°.
My team was at Alma college.
The scorching sun provided us
with reason to be caked in sunscreen.
The turf stuck like glue to our clammy sweat.

We got to our first station of the second grueling day;
stunt pyramids.
We awed at the demo of a liberty, ball, liberty.
Me, Bri, and Emma groaned, as we were flyers
though our coaches said not to stress.

We got up into the first stunt
me and Bri on the sides bracing.
We pulled Emma into the lib and she tried to ball
but the bases wouldn’t throw, she wouldn’t stand up.
We couldn’t hit.

Finally.
She stood up. They threw.
Me and Bri felt Emma brace against us.
The feeling of relief consumed us as our coaches cheered
and our bows beamed as bright as the sun, sweat still rolling down our backs.

I learned that day that no matter how discouraged
and no matter how hot and exhausted
love your team
and keep trying until you succeed.