Starting Bell

Not last not first but here

not near not far but now

feel the breath in, feed the muscle out

hooves churn, shoulders in, neck strain

nostrils flare, crowd roars

silk rippling

fear eases out in steps sideways from desire

win or lose pinpricks of sweat on the neck collar

push it down with a dark swallow

eyes wide take in the sky

pillar looming at

the finish line


Awake, bolt.

bell clangs: 

spring from the gate