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Fast From the Past

Catching Up With A Childhood Moment (Poem)

By Lora ColemanPublished 6 months ago Updated 6 months ago 1 min read
Fast From the Past
Photo by Jason Sung on Unsplash

Alabama heat scraped my arms like an itchy abrasion

my adversary's smirk, the mark of underestimation

where trailer lots merged into an expansive field

I hear still, "race you to the fence and around the hill"

chants caused childhood rivalries to build

festering faster than scrapes are healed

flushed faces foreshadowed sunburn

everything fiery as his hair of auburn

the recognition of a challenge like a premonition

right foot, left foot: blurred triumph came to fruition

then to reality

he, right behind me

my dollar store shoes blended with speed

bursts of pink whipped off trees fragilely

blades of grass grappled, lost under my feet

crunching thunder 'cross oyster-shell concrete

the grit of dust felt like freedom

the knowing that I would beat him

their shock was my mental medal

…now my knees crack when they settle

For FunFirst Draft

About the Creator

Lora Coleman

Lora Coleman is an author, educator, and podcaster. Her writing blends a little bit of everything from poetry, fiction, memoir moments, and anything else for the sake of writing and exploring.

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