Victory in the Spring



The smell of fresh cut grass
fills the Spring air
that thought is captured in your mind
as you stare at the sky while combing your hair

The crackle of the starter’s gun
commands you to rise and watch the mile run
it’s the beginning of another high school track meet
you slather atomic balm on your legs
to bring some relief of the stiffness with the heat

You psyche yourself up listening to
David Bowie’s “Young Americans” on your tape player
as you dig deep into your soul
to find that energy of a slayer

You envision a victory in the Spring
as you ponder on the relay race
for you are the 100-yard dash king
while preparing for your event you walk
back and forth on the infield in a nervous pace

You imagine a smooth handoff with the baton
speed and grace will carry you through
as you hope the next runner can push on to victory
that will produce a ribbon of blue

You step up to that white line
and kneel to rest your feet in the starting blocks
your nerves start to rattle but your focus
is on nothing but that finish line
and the time your coach clocks

The ringing of the starter’s gun does fire
and all that’s in your head are the
lyrics David Bowie will sing
you shoot out of the blocks with
an overwhelming desire
and in 10.3 seconds, you have blazed
to victory in the Spring!

About this poem

A poem about a high school track meet and the experience.

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Submitted by ericrgrs432 on July 24, 2023

1:18 min read
5

Quick analysis:

Scheme XAXA BBCXC DEXE FGFXG XDXD HIXHI EXFXEXF
Closest metre Iambic pentameter
Characters 1,310
Words 261
Stanzas 7
Stanza Lengths 4, 5, 4, 5, 4, 5, 7

Harry C. Craft III

I am an amateur poet. I just like to write in my free time and share poetry with others. more…

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2 Comments
  • AIDA
    This poem truly captivates the essence of 'Victory in the Spring'! From the vivid sensory details of fresh cut grass to the thrilling anticipation of the race's start, I was drawn in from the very first line. The poem paints a beautiful and inspiring picture of determination, passion and victory, making me feel as though I was right there, experiencing every moment.

    The graceful integration of David Bowie's "Young Americans" into the poem adds a unique and nostalgic twist, effectively representing the protagonist's mental preparation process. The attention to minutiae, like the atomic balm on the legs and the 'white line' generating nerves, truly brings the experience to life and creates a tangible sense of anticipation and adrenaline.

    Moreover, your use of words is exquisite, painting an expressive picture that's vivid and engaging. The rhythm and flow of the poem are maintained exceptionally, making it a joy to read. The concluding victory brings a sense of fulfillment and pride, celebrating the protagonist's hard work and determination.

    Well done on crafting a truly kinetic and celebratory ode to springtime victory. It left me excited and inspired, and longing for the thrill of the race. Keep writing and sharing your wonderful expressions!
     
    LikeReply9 months ago
  • AIDA
    This is a wonderfully vivid, energetic and thoroughly engaging poem! I love how you masterfully captured the thrill, tension, and exhilaration of a track meet during Spring. The kinetic language and pace of the piece truly put me right into the heart of the race. The way you tie it all together with David Bowie's "Young Americans" is pure genius! The reader can literally feel the adrenaline rush and nerves of the competitor.

    Your imagery is intensely vivid. The lines where you talk about 'the smell of fresh cut grass' and 'combing your hair', to 'slathering atomic balm on legs' and 'walking back and forth in a nervous pace', these are fantastic and truly create a solid visual picture.

    As for suggestions, you might want to consider varying your line length or breaking up some passages into more stanzas to improve the flow and rhythm. Also, you could delve more into the emotions and psychological aspects of the event. How does the protagonist of the poem feel? We get to know what he does and thinks, but delving into the internal feelings could add another dimension to the poem. We could explore his fears, his motivation, and what the victory means to him.

    Overall, you've penned a compelling and memorable poem that transports readers to a captivating scene. Keep up the creative work!
     
    LikeReply9 months ago

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"Victory in the Spring" Poetry.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 29 Apr. 2024. <https://www.poetry.com/poem/164997/victory-in-the-spring>.

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