The Race

Helmet in place, chin strap taut

All in readiness

Around me other racers check over their gear

Each determined, each knowing they have to win

Sit down... Strap in

Hands each placed upon wheel

Lean forward as starter takes his mark

Heart racing, pounding, adrenaline rushing

Ears roar as crowd cheers from the packed stands

Bang!!! ... Starter pistol goes off

I feel the discharge in my chest as if I had actually been shot

Shove into high gear

Around me other racers take off

Dust flies up in whirling tornadoes

Bats out of Hell, wheels spinning,

Some with mighty bursts of speed

Others holding back, biding their time

Racers jostle for position

Sticking to my lane, I focus single mindedly

I have prepared for this race my entire life

Trained, sweated, cursed, trained some more

I will persevere

I will triumph

For her

As I put on a burst of speed approaching curve

Most of the other racers fall behind

I can hear them, wheels spinning, grinding

I lean in as the curve is hit

Grit my teeth, grinding, gnashing with effort

All my heart and soul focused on speed

My entire essence ensconced in the here and now

ONE GOAL! .... WIN!

Win for myself

Win for my school

Win for my teachers, my trainers

Mostly win for her

Choking cloud of dust stirred from the track

Hacking, I cough and spit

One hand slips from wheel

I swerve left

Narrowly missing clipping another racer

Straightening, I exit the curve

Ahead... the ribbon flutters

The finish line

I groan, grunting with effort

Concentrating only on speed

I pass Mr. red and blue

Slipping past him with inches to spare

Sweat runnels into my eyes

Dripping from the top of my nose

Splashes onto my lap

Can't take time to wipe it away

Mr. red and blue is there... right there

I spare a glance at him

This my worthy opponent

A contender of strength and stalwart will

I see it in his eyes

That same fierce determination to win

A will of prodigious proportions

Truly this racer is worthy of my respect

Still, I must beat him

Behind the two of us

Other racers struggle valiantly

Unable to maintain speed, slipping into

Obscurity in our dust trail

My world, my universe, narrows

Nothing exists except me, Mr red and blue, the finish line

Each of us striving mightily

Reaching into depths of ourselves for just that extra smidgen

Each determined to take the cup

Arms burning, lungs heaving

We approach the ribbon

Rushing, pushing, striving for all we're worth

There in the stands my mother

Beaming, proud, elated

I have to do this!

For her, for us

For all she's done and given

Long nights working double shifts

Exhausting days caring for me

Ensuring I had all I needed

Years of maternal sacrifice

To ensure I had a chance

A chance to succeed against all odds

In spite of everything

Digging deeper into my core

Hands gripping tight, knuckles white with tension

Wheels spinning, spitting out dust

I scream out my defiance to the very Gods above

YEAH! WATCH THIS!!

No weakness!

No failure!

No handicap!

I edge out Mr. red and blue in the final instants

When my wheelchair cuts the ribbon

At the finish line

Mom screams for joy

I did it. I won.

As she knew I could

Thank you Special Olympics