We crouch, soul to mind
sole to ground, hand to soil
inhale, shift eyes, gaze up
prepare – count as

we beat, we strike, foot-
strike toe-to-heel, absorb
the world, the wind, the sound
in flux – flowing as

we flex, propulsion forward
through space extend, time
stop flowing, hold the beat
beat the track feel
the pulse as

we race, hearts pacing
pumping blood coursing
through, rushing by
streaming through veins
heart beating constant speed
building faster
higher peaking

exhale.

The first title for this one was ‘And we run’. But I then remembered a song by Within Temptation called just that, and decided not to. You can listen to it here, though: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RhKEVRrSJZo.